The Hindu Business Line : AP seeks Central aid of Rs 2,600 cr

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has sought Central support of Rs 2,600 crore for the execution of high voltage distribution system (HVDS), aimed at further strengthening and streamlining the power distribution system.

The Chief Minister advocated that a comprehensive mechanism be created for providing quality and reliable power supply in the State to 24 lakh farm sector users as well as domestic consumers.

Once this is implemented, farmers will get seven hours of quality and assured power supply and domestic consumers will get uninterrupted supply. The scheme helps in improving voltages to the pumps thereby making them more efficient and reducing transformer failures.

During the last two years, the State Government has focussed on implementation of HVDS by energising 1,72,668 pumpsets. It is programmed to implement HVDS to all agricultural pump sets at a cost of around Rs 5,651 crore through funding from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) over five-six years in a phased manner.

The Chief Minister disclosed that the power utilities have been providing a quality and reliable power supply at a reasonable tariff to industrial consumers by providing around 1,000 exclusive industrial express feeders.

Dr. Reddy is learnt to have directed APTransco to closely monitor power supply and to ensure proper supply for the rabi crop and during ongoing examinations.

In this context, the Chief Minister pointed out that a peak demand of 8210 MW was achieved on February 17, which is the highest ever in the history of the State. This is about 7.84 per cent more than the maximum demand reached during the same period last year.

The State met with highest demand by supplying 170 million units per day as against 150 million units, same day last year. Sales to the agricultural sector during January to March increased from 3377 MUs in 2002-03 to 3798 MUs in 2004-05. During 2005-06, it is estimated that it will cross 5000 MUs at current levels of consumption, which is 32 per cent more than during the corresponding period last year.

The officials have informed that by April 15, the power situation will ease since the rabi operations will conclude.

Outlining the importance of `Rythu Chaitanya Yatras' to be held during April 2-20, the Chief Minister asked the departments of revenue, power and panchayat raj to work in close coordination and collect feedback from consumers.

He wanted District Collectors to monitor regular power supply position daily and report on problems regarding supply.

The officials have informed that the State is overdrawing 8 MUs per day at an additional expenditure of Rs 30 crore per week to meet the ever-growing demand. In the process, the State was purchasing 300 MW of power from Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 23.1 crore per month.

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