Amid power woes, Andhra ministers run up huge bills

By V V Balakrishna | ENS - HYDERABAD

26th August 2012 08:14 AM


Even as chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy preaches power saving to outage ravaged people across the state, ministers and state-supported VIPs are running up monthly electricity bills of several thousand rupees, paid entirely by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department.

Galla Aruna tops the list of cabinet ministers toting up huge power bills, with Rs 62,657 in July.

Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu - whose bill is paid by the government - is no slouch either: his Jubilee Hills residence ran up a bill of Rs 84,352 in July.

The chief minister’s camp office at Begumpet costs the exchequer even more: its monthly power bills are in the region of Rs 1 lakh.

Ministers Mukesh Goud, D K Aruna and Danam Nagender all burnt midnight oil to the tune of Rs 15,000 or more (see graphic).

The chief minister advised people not to use air-conditioners but his ministers have apparently not heard him.

 All of them flout a rule not to have more than two ACs in their official residences.

 One senior minister has no less than 12. Another enjoys six.

 Roads & Buildings officials say the two-AC limit was fixed in the late 1950s and should be revised to four, considering the fact that most ministers now have three-bedroom houses with an office.

 “But a dozen ACs? Nothing but a waste of public money,” fumed an R&B official.

 Whenever a minister has sought permission to install additional ACs at his residence, R&B staff do remind the government about the two AC rule. But the government always vetoes the objection.

 Whatever the excess, it is the people who pay for it. One minister, a big industrialist, constructed a sprawling house that clocks up a large power bill - paid by the people.

 Some ministers have multiple power connections - again paid by the people.

 “The government should fix a maximum limit for power consumption by ministers. If the government fixes Rs 20,000 per month, any bill above that should be borne by the minister,” an R&B official said.

The suggestion has been sent to the government recently. However, no action has been taken.

GRAPHIC

POWER BILLS BY MINISTERS  AND OTHERS  IN JULY 2012


Galla Aruna   Rs 62,657

M Mukesh Goud  - Rs 33,188

P Sudharshan Reddy  - Rs 6,346

E Pratap Reddy   -  Rs 11,021

Danam Nagender  - Rs 17,321

DK Aruna   -  Rs 25,015

N Chandrababu Naidu (Opposition leader and Cabinet rank)  - Rs 84,352

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's camp office  - around Rs one lakh per month

A Chakrapani   Rs  4,016



   COMMENTS:

Power cuts, costly yarn driving weavers to suicide
More from this section Amid power woes, Andhra ministers run up huge bills TDP moves Consumer Forum over power loss Assembly special meet to discuss SC, ST Sub-plan report Andhra CM not in a hurry on Dharmana issue Botcha falls from high command's grace? .Comments(4) It is huge shame. It is demoralizing that we today live in a country where the leaders are plundering the country for their own benefit. Winston Churchill, 65 years ago said of Indians, “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters and charlatans; all Indian leaders will be of low caliber and men of straw. They will have sweet tongues and silly hearts. Giving falls promises will be their game with the poor and stupid masses. They shall be shameless and unpatriotic in their ways while handling problems of people. They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles. Justice will be a matter of Joke. A day would come when even air, water..., and even common salt would be taxed in India.” How Prophetic Winston Churchill was, way back in 1930. Dont blame White man for India's problems. Indians are unfit to Rule themselves. Now they are being led by Bandits in Delhi. Such is our India. What a Shame

Posted by Truth at 08/26/2012 08:52 Reply to this Report abuse
This is Our India. Check this, dated Nov 2010 http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Sonia-Gandhi-s-power-bill-over-Rs-7-lakh-for-3-years/Article1-623106.aspx

Posted by Truth at 08/26/2012 09:09 Reply to this Report abuse
OH! The followers of mahatama are leading very simple life ,we must congratulate them for setting an example for others.

Posted by l.s.mohandoss at 08/26/2012 10:11 Reply to this Report abuse
the followers of GANDHI, SET AN GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS. oh!

Posted by l.s.mohandoss at 08/26/2012 10:16 Reply to this Report abuse