Vijayawada: State energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Thursday criticised former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for initiating protests against electricity charges that were implemented during his own administration. Kumar stated that Reddy reached another milestone in his “Tughlaq acts” whilst burdening citizens with his decisions during his tenure.
The energy minister pointed out that Andhra Pradesh was a power surplus state until 2019, during the TDP regime,, but it became power deficit within five years under Jagan’s governance. He stated that Jagan’s administration cancelled power purchase agreements and chased away solar and wind energy investors, resulting in a 10,000 MW renewable energy loss.
Ravi Kumar also stated that Jagan’s govt damaged AP Genco through the procurement of electricity at rates between 8 and 14 per unit, despite availability at per unit.
He alleged that these purchases were made to benefit Jagan’s associates and earn commissions.
The minister also highlighted that the true-up charges were approved by the AP electricity regulatory commission during Jagan’s tenure. The charges were 3,082 crore for 2021-22, 6,073 crore for 2022-23, and 9,412 crore for 2023-24.
Ravi Kumar explained that APERC was required to issue final orders on true-up charges within 90 days of filing. Discoms filed Q4 charges for 2022-23 in May 2023, and for 2023-24 in May 2024.
The energy minister pointed out that Andhra Pradesh was a power surplus state until 2019, during the TDP regime,, but it became power deficit within five years under Jagan’s governance. He stated that Jagan’s administration cancelled power purchase agreements and chased away solar and wind energy investors, resulting in a 10,000 MW renewable energy loss.
Ravi Kumar also stated that Jagan’s govt damaged AP Genco through the procurement of electricity at rates between 8 and 14 per unit, despite availability at per unit.
He alleged that these purchases were made to benefit Jagan’s associates and earn commissions.
The minister also highlighted that the true-up charges were approved by the AP electricity regulatory commission during Jagan’s tenure. The charges were 3,082 crore for 2021-22, 6,073 crore for 2022-23, and 9,412 crore for 2023-24.
Ravi Kumar explained that APERC was required to issue final orders on true-up charges within 90 days of filing. Discoms filed Q4 charges for 2022-23 in May 2023, and for 2023-24 in May 2024.
