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Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu Rules Out Power Tariff Hike, Focuses on Consumer Benefits

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has firmly ruled out any increase in power tariffs, assuring that benefits from true-down charges will be passed directly to consumers. He directed officials to accelerate renewable energy projects, including solar rooftops and wind power, aiming to reduce power purchase costs and achieve a surplus. The CM also emphasized developing Rayalaseema as a major horticulture hub through public and private investment, targeting a massive increase in produce. Furthermore, he called for simplifying administrative procedures across key departments and improving digital governance to make public services more accessible.

Key Points: AP CM Naidu: No Power Tariff Hike, Direct Consumer Benefits

  • No power tariff hike
  • True-down charges passed to consumers
  • Push for solar, wind, and pumped storage power
  • Focus on horticulture hub in Rayalaseema
  • Simplify business rules and governance
2 min read

Andhra Pradesh CM rules out power tariff hike

Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announces no power tariff hike, directs officials to pass on true-down charges to consumers and boost renewable energy.

"To develop Rayalaseema as a horticulture hub, we should focus not only on Central government funds but also on private investments. - N. Chandrababu Naidu"

Amaravati, Feb 9

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday made it clear that there will be no power tariff hike and that the benefits of true-down charges will be passed on directly to consumers.​

Addressing the ministers and secretaries conference at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said power generation should be carried out with the concept of net-zero elimination. He directed officials to ensure that true-down charges are transferred directly to consumers.​

He called for speeding up solar rooftop projects, wind and pumped storage power generation. He said the state, which earlier faced a power shortage, is now moving forward.​

towards the power surplus stage. Efforts are on to reduce the power purchase price to Rs 3.90, he said.​

The Chief Minister directed the officials to constantly monitor opportunities to ensure marketing support and better prices for agricultural produce. Greater focus should be on crops with global markets. "To develop Rayalaseema as a horticulture hub, we should focus not only on Central government funds but also on private investments," he said.​

CM Chandrababu Naidu noted that Rayalaseema alone is currently producing 22 million tonnes of horticulture produce, and a target of 40 million tonnes has been set.

​He said a four-lane railway line from Ichchapuram to Nellore is under construction, and the high-speed train project will also materialise soon.​

He said at least 1,000 buses in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) should be converted to EVs.​

Citing an example of administrative delays, he said that to set up a small rice mill, more than 30 permissions are required, and this must change. On one hand, we talk about the speed of doing business, and on the other, such hurdles still exist. Rules must be simplified in key departments such as Fire Services, Municipal Administration, Forest, School Education and others, he said.​

He asked officials to ensure that government services are accessible through WhatsApp. Good governance means people should be able to complete their work without repeatedly visiting government offices, he said.​

He said that complaints are still being received that officials in NTR and Krishna districts are creating hurdles in the supply of sand and gravel required for the capital city, and directed the officials to ensure uninterrupted material supply so that construction in the capital region faces no obstacles.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Converting 1000 buses to EVs is a fantastic initiative! It will reduce pollution and fuel costs. Hope they also improve the bus service frequency and comfort. The plan to make government services available on WhatsApp could be a game-changer if implemented properly.
R
Rahul R
Good to hear about the focus on horticulture in Rayalaseema. Doubling production is an ambitious target. But the real challenge is ensuring farmers get fair prices and have access to cold storage and transport. Private investment is key, but safeguards for farmers are equally important.
A
Anjali F
While the announcements sound good, implementation is everything. The CM himself admitted to over 30 permissions for a simple rice mill. This "ease of doing business" needs to be felt on the ground by common people and small entrepreneurs, not just in speeches.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the push for net-zero and renewables. The move from power shortage to surplus is commendable. Reducing the purchase price to ₹3.90 will have a significant impact on the state's finances and potentially attract more industry.
K
Kavya N
The high-speed train and new railway line will be a huge boost for connectivity and the economy. But I hope they also focus on completing the capital city construction without delays. Uninterrupted sand supply is a basic requirement they should have sorted long back!

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