CPI warns of protests if power charges are hiked

Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary, K Ramakrishna, has issued a stern warning to the TDP-led NDA government, stating that his party will launch a protest if the government proceeds with increasing electricity charges in the state. In collaboration with other Left parties, he announced that the CPI would organise a state-wide struggle. Ramakrishna reminded that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had previously assured the public that True-up charges would be reduced, and power tariffs would be lowered. He also recalled that Naidu had criticised the implementation of smart meters.
Addressing a press conference at Dasari Bhavan in Vijayawada on Saturday, Ramakrishna claimed that the government is planning to impose an additional burden of Rs 8,114 crore on the public in the name of True-up charges. He alleged that before the elections, Chandrababu Naidu had promised not to implement these charges if the NDA returned to power, but the government has failed to keep this commitment. He demanded an immediate withdrawal of the proposed True-up charges.
Ramakrishna pointed out that the current True-up charge is Rs 1.03 per unit, but the government is planning to impose an additional Rs 1.27 per unit, further burdening the people. He also criticised the government for planning to spend Rs 7,000 crore to install smart meters for agricultural connections, stating that the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) awarded the contract to Hinduja Company without proper approvals, amounting to Rs 1,234 crore.
He further accused CM Chandrababu Naidu of following in the footsteps of former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy by allegedly colluding with the Adani Group. Ramakrishna alleged that Naidu has continued old policies and surrendered to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CPI leader strongly condemned the government’s policies and the imposition of True-up charges.
Ramakrishna also criticised the government’s decision to implement the Annadata Sukheebhava Scheme, which offers Rs 20,000 financial support to farmers from next year. He questioned why the scheme could not be implemented in the current financial year and demanded that CM Chandrababu Naidu and Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu ensure its immediate implementation.
Additionally, Ramakrishna announced that the CPI would organise a mass submission of applications at all Sachivalayams on November 18, demanding the government fulfil its promises of providing house sites to the poor and covering the construction costs. He said around 32 lakh beneficiaries are expected to participate in this programme.
He also discussed issues such as the free sand policy, the spread of liquor shops, corruption, and the privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
CPI State Secretariat members Jalli Wilson, G Eswaraiah, Akkineni Vanaja, and others attended the press conference.