Harish Rao condemns cancellation of PPLAs

Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Wednesday condemned the reported move by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to cancel the Power Purchase Lease Agreement with the power companies.

Speaking to media persons at the State Secretariat here, Harish Rao alleged that the cancellation of PPLAs would intensify the energy crisis in Telangana and might cripple the industries operating in the State. He said that Naidu's move was against the provision of Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act. He alleged that the move to cancel PPLAs was aimed at scaring away the industries from Telangana State.

Harish Rao alleged that Naidu was forcing the industries to shift their base to Andhra Pradesh by taking steps like cancellation of PPLAs. Questioning Naidu's stand on equal justice for both the Telugu States, he asked the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to clarify whether his move would not hit the Telugu speaking people of Telangana. He said that the PPLA's cancellation would badly hit the power supply position in Hyderabad, which is the joint capital of both the States.

The minister asked Naidu to restrain from cancelling the PPLAs at this stage. He said it would send a wrong message among the people, especially the industries. He assured that the Telangana Government would make alternate arrangements and would supply power to the State at any cost.