Opposition parties politicising power crisis: Jana

Panchayat Raj Minister K Jana Reddy on Wednesday accused the opposition parties of politicising the on-going power crisis in the State.

Talking to reporters at the State Secretariat here, Jana Reddy said that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, Telugu Desam Party and other opposition parties were aware of the reasons that worsened the power crisis in the State. Stating that deficient rainfall was primary responsible for reduction in hydel production, he said that the opposition parties were trying to draw political mileage out of it. Further, he said non-supply of gas and coal too contributed in worsening the crisis.

The minister also denied allegations that Telangana farmers were being discriminated in supply of power. Citing an example, he said as against the demand of 1000 MW, Tirupati was able to manage with 800 MW supply due to its prominence to the hydel power projects. However, in Telangana region deficient rainfall supplemented with increase in demand by almost double has deepened the crisis.

Jana Reddy said that the State Government has been spending Rs 13 crore per day to purchase power from outside the State. Although the government is ready to spend another Rs 20 crore per day, additional power is not available anywhere. He said that the government was keen on establishing Renewable Power Projects under Public-Private-Partnership mode.

The minister also informed that thousands of crores were being spent on the supply of drinking water in rural areas, including Nalgonda district. He said funds were not a constraint in supplying power and water to the people.

Jana Reddy also refuted allegations that the ministers were meeting the Chief Minister and Congress High Command to discuss the issue of resignation of Roads and Buildings Minister B Dharmana Prasad Rao, but not the power crisis. He said that the ministers were in regular touch with the Chief Minister and other relevant authorities to find a solution for the existing power crisis.