Power Shock Awaits People of AP and T?

By Express News Service - HYDERABAD

Published: 15th May 2014 10:00 AM

Last Updated: 15th May 2014 10:00 AM

Will the first chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana give power shock to the people of respective states? So it appears.
The Discoms had proposed a burden of around `5,500 crore on the power consumers in the combined state.
However, officials have decided not to take any decision on power tariff hike till new governments are in place in both AP and T.
It may be recalled that the Discoms sent the proposals to hike the tariff long ago and the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission conducted public hearings too.
But, when the APERC wanted to impose a fresh power tariff burden on the people, the State Election Commission directed the APERC not to increase the tariff as it would contain subsidy component for both domestic and agricultural consumers and influence the voters. The APERC deferred the tariff hike till the election code ceases to operate in the state.
At a review on Tuesday, the officials have decided not to hike the power tariff at this juncture as the appointed day is just 16 days away.
“The Governor will not take any decision to hike the power tariff. The matter will be left to the respective governments of AP and T,” top officials in the Energy department told Express on Wednesday.
Actually, the new power tariff for the year 2014-15 should come into force on April 1. It remains to be seen whether the chief ministers would give their nod for the tariff hike or not.