AP govt hikes power tariff, TDP opposes

Vijayawada: Putting an additional burden on the electricity consumers, the Andhra Pradesh government has steeply hiked the power tariff.

Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) Chairman C V Nagarjun Reddy, along with members Takhoor Ram Singh and Rajagopal Reddy, on Wednesday announced the hike of electricity tariff and released a new tariff.

The APERC brought six slabs to collect the power tariff. The newly enhanced power tariff would come into effect from August, 2022.

The power charges in the state would now go up by 45 paise per unit below 30 units, by 91 paise between 31 and 75 units and by Rs 1.40 paise for 76 to 125 units.

The hike would be Rs 1.57 paise per unit for 126 to 225 units, Rs 1.16 paise for 226 to 400 units and 55 paise above 400 units.

Speaking on the occasion, Nagarjuna Reddy said that due to unavoidable circumstances the power tariff for the domestic consumers was hiked.

Since the expenses were spiraling for generation of power, the government was forced to hike the power tariff for domestic purposes also.

The tariff was hiked taking the interests of all sections of people into consideration. Since scarcity prevailed for coal, the government is looking to purchase electricity in the open market, he informed, pointing out that the diesel and petrol prices are being hiked from time to time.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Telugu Desam party vehemently opposed the hike of power tariff.

In a statement here today, TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh slammed the Jagan Mohan Reddy headed YSRCP Government for imposing a ‘steep hike’ in power tariff without considering the financial problems of the people.

Lokesh demanded an immediate roll back of the hiked charges so as to avoid further burden on the public.

Jagan Mohan Reddy promised to give free power like his father but fixed motors and tied nooses around farmers’ necks after coming to power, he alleged.