‘YSRCP rule indulged in graft over power, coal purchases’

Minister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar has blamed the previous YSRCP regime for the increase in power tariffs during its five-year rule, alleging corruption in power and coal purchases.
Speaking to the media in the Secretariat on Saturday, the Energy Minister stated that the imprudent decisions made by the Jagan Reddy-led government resulted in multiple hikes in power tariffs throughout the YSRCP’s tenure.
He noted that the previous government, headed by Jagan Reddy, cancelled the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed by the then TDP-led government. Ravi Kumar alleged that the YSRCP administration damaged the reputation of AP Genco, which was known for its power generation, by borrowing loans from private individuals at high interest rates. “The Jagan Reddy-led government failed to maintain transparency in power purchases during its five-year rule. These purchases were made on a ‘quid pro quo’ basis, allowing funds to be siphoned off to the Tadepalli palace,” he claimed.
He further alleged that both the then Chief Minister Jagan Reddy and Energy Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy managed not only the electricity purchases but also the coal procurement in secrecy, leading to a burden of steep power tariff hikes on consumers. Minister Ravi Kumar revealed that electricity charges have been increased nine times in the past five years due to Jagan Mohan Reddy’s misguided policies.