The BJP OBC Morcha national president Dr K Laxman criticized Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for not responding to letters from the NTPC about entering agreements for power supply. According to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act-2014, 4,000 mw thermal power plants were supposed to be set up in Telangana to address the power deficit. The Centre had funded the production of 1,600 mw at the Ramagundam plant and approved another plant for 2,400 mw, with 85% of the power generated meant for Telangana.
Despite the cheaper power offered by NTPC, the government did not enter into power purchase agreements (PPAs) with them. Instead, they made deals with Chattisgarh for higher prices and commissions, putting the state discoms in debt. NTPC had sent multiple letters to the government asking for a response on entering into PPAs for power supply, but received no reply by the deadline. Dr Laxman questioned whether the government was following the same path as the previous government in pushing discoms into debt for commissions.
With summer approaching, there is a possibility of a power shortage in the state. The NTPC plants were established with central investment, but the majority of the power generated was meant for Telangana. Dr Laxman also raised concerns about the government’s announcement to probe corruption in various projects, questioning if it was a tactic to pressure beneficiaries into joining the ruling party.
Dr Laxman demanded that the CM clarify why cheaper power supply offers from NTPC were not accepted, highlighting the potential hardships faced by farmers and cattle during power shortages in summer. He urged immediate action to prevent the state from facing power outages.
