The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Checking of power losses: pat for Andhra Pradesh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 21, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Checking of power losses: pat for Andhra Pradesh

Special Correspondent

Montek Singh Ahluwalia seeks a presentation from the State
Also impressed by rural school scheme

NEW DELHI: Apparently impressed with the success Andhra Pradesh has had in reducing power transmission and distribution losses to 17.5 per cent, Deputy Chairperson of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia has sought a presentation from the State Government on how it has managed to bring it down to such a level.

This was disclosed by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to mediapersons after his meeting with Mr. Ahluwalia. The State Government, he said, would make the presentation in early January.

Also, Mr. Ahluwalia is understood to have told Dr. Reddy that he would discuss with the Government if the rural public school scheme launched by the State could be implemented through the Centre.

School scheme

As per the scheme, land is provided to private players with a reputation in education to set up schools. The land is allotted to them on the condition that a certain number of seats in such schools would be set aside for the Government to admit students.

At his meeting with Mr. Ahluwalia, the Chief Minister reiterated his demand – made in his address at the National Development Council meeting on Wednesday – that the criterion set for States to qualify for funding under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana should be altered.

According to him, expenditure incurred by States on irrigation should also be part of the parameters set for eligibility.

As for Telugu Desam Party leader N. Chandrababu Naidu’s announcement earlier in the day that his party would implement the Rs. 2 a kg. rice scheme if it was returned to power, Dr. Reddy asked “With what face will he go to the people with such a promise. He was the one who discontinued the programme. People will not believe him; not only on this count but also on any other promise that he may make.”

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