Andhra Pradesh   

Rosaiah takes on Naidu

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K. Rosaiah has offered to take up a debate in the monsoon session of the Assembly beginning August 25 on the allegation of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu that the handling of the power supply situation by the government was “inept.”

Mr. Naidu had remarked that the present power shortage was due to the government’s “inefficiency and lack of foresight” and demanded a debate on the issue.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Rosaiah retorted, “Why should we have a debate in the bazaars? The proper forum for such a debate is the Assembly. If Mr. Naidu is willing, the debate will be taken up in the Assembly during its monsoon session.”

Admitting that there was power shortage in the State, he said this was due to a variety of factors, including lack of rain and increased agricultural demand. The situation turned precarious as power was not available in the open market for sale. However, efforts were being made to buy power wherever possible and whatever the cost. He said the present predicament was due to the mistake committed by Mr. Naidu himself during his tenure as Chief Minister in approving four gas-based projects with a capacity of 1,500 MW without gas availability. But for the removal of the anti-consumer provisions in the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with these projects by the present dispensation, the government would have lost Rs. 1,020 crore annually towards fixed charges to these projects even if they generated no power.

Another mistake made by the TDP regime was that it did not take part in international bids invited to explore the KG Basin for gas. “The State lost a golden opportunity to exploit the gas reserves lying close to its coastline.”

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