Anam asks CM to review decision on power tariff hike

Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy on Tuesday asked Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to review the decision on increasing the power tariff.

Talking to reporters at his chambers in D-Block of the State Secretariat, the minister said that since the Energy portfolio was being handled by the Chief Minister himself, he should review the hike in power tariff. However, he said that it was for the first time since Congress returned to power in 2004 that the power tariff has been increased based on the recommendations of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Authority.

Ramnarayana Reddy said that the Andhra Pradesh was the only State in the country which was giving a subsidy of Rs 5,300 crore to the power section. He admitted that besides opposition, several leaders from the ruling party too were opposed to the hike in power tariff.

The Finance Minister also claimed that the State's exchequer was not empty as it was reported by a section of media. He said sufficient funds were available for the implementation of welfare schemes. He said the State has been implementing financial reforms and funds for at least eight departments were being cleared through Green Channel. He said the government was not withdrawing money through over-drafts.