The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Seven-hour power supply to continue for rabi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Seven-hour power supply to continue for rabi

Staff Reporter

APTransco anticipating 10 p.c. rise in power consumption

Encouraged by rain, farmers go in for paddy this season
Government efforts to divert farmers to cash crops fail

Sangareddy: With APTransco anticipating a ten percent rise in power consumption during the peak of rabi season, the seven-hour power supply in different shifts would continue till March. Encouraged by the rain and brimming water bodies, the farmers have gone for paddy this season despite efforts by the government to divert farmers to cash crops that require less water. This has made APTransco in the district to revive its plans for rabi.

Speaking to The Hindu, the superintending engineer of APTransco Ashok Reddy said that even though the present per day consumption has dipped by almost 2 million units per day owing to the winter chill, the consumption for agricultural purposes would go up during December and March. The present per day consumption in the district stood at 10.5 mu. However, it was 125mu during November 2006.

Power cuts

Hinting at possible power cuts to the industrial sector, Mr. Reddy said that the farm sector would be given priority during the crucial hours. “The seven-hour free power would continue without a hitch,” he said. He said that APTransco has already entered into agreements with other power generating companies for power to save the rabi crops. The APTransco has launched a special drive for collection of arrears in the bordering areas of the district. The SE warned the consumers that APTransco would not hesitate to disconnect the service if they do not pay their bills or at least a part of the arrears.

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