Priority for free farm connections in AP

PNS|Vijayawada

State Energy, Forest, Environment, Science, Technology and Mines Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy has directed the officials to accord priority to the applications for free agriculture power connections.

A video conference was held with the officials of the Electricity Department at the camp office in Vijayawada on Tuesday. The Minister said that the 1912 toll-free number should be displayed in the secretariats for issues related to electricity.

He said that the officials should work in accordance with the aspirations of CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to provide nine hours of quality power to agriculture and slackness in this regard will not be tolerated. There are allegations that the applications for free agricultural power connections are kept pending for a long time and the Minister sought an explanation from the authorities concerned.

Every complaint from the farmers should be taken seriously at the field level as the ruling YSRC is a pro-farmer government. Strict action will be taken against any complaints of corruption, the Minister said. He said that the erection of 33/11 KV stations already sanctioned in required areas across the State should be completed within three months.

As indoor substations cost more, they should be proposed only if required and in rural areas indoor substations are not possible. Electricity department officials should take part in the ‘Gadapa Gadapaku Mana Prabhutvam’ programme at the field level and grievances on power issues should be solved immediately.

Nodal officers should be appointed at the Discoms level to resolve issues pertaining to the permission from Forest and Revenue departments for the construction of substations and lines. If the issue is not resolved by the nodal officer the issue will be brought to the notice of the government, said the Minister Peddireddy.

The Minister said that the department should ensure power supply as per demand in summer. Advance planning should be done to address the issue and Discoms should coordinate with Transco and work to improve the reputation of the Energy Department.

To promote aqua sector in the State, the government is providing subsidised electricity to the eligible farmers in the aqua zone. On this, the details of how much electricity is being provided on subsidy by circle and how much demand is there in the zone should be submitted and necessary plans to provide better electricity should be prepared, the Minister said.

Peddireddy said that for installing smart meters for agricultural connections Aadhaar updation and opening of bank accounts from the farmers should be expedited. Stern action will be taken for showing slackness by the Discoms in this regard from some districts.

Energy Department Special Chief Secretary Vijayanand, Transco CMD B Sridhar, Vigilance JMD Malla Reddy, Transco Director Bhaskar, Discom CMDs Padmajanarthan Reddy, Santhosh Rao and officials of power department from various districts participated in the video conference.