Telangana loses race for 24/7 power
New Delhi: The fledgling State of Telangana has lost out to its neighbour Andhra Pradesh in the race for 24/7 power supply to the people. The goal of making Hyderabad a millennium city and providing round the clock power facility to the towns and villages of Telangana has fallen prey to the alleged reluctance of Telangana government to interact at the highest level with the Centre's power ministry.
The Centre, though claiming to extend hundred per cent co-operation and all-round help to the States, is appalled that the Telangana government could have sent a representative of 'Cabinet rank' to represent the government while all other States participated at the highest level during the review sessions held by the Ministry for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy.
As part of the government's interaction with media on the completion of 100 days, Union Power Minister Peeyush Goyal told reporters that the three States of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi have given the final touches to a long-drawn plan which would ensure 24/7 power supply to the people of these States.
While Delhi under the Centre-rule these days, Rajasthan has a BJP government and Andhra Pradesh is ruled by the TDP, an NDA ally. Goyal did not specify a deadline for the implementation of the ambitious plan though he said the plan had been drawn up after many long meetings and dozens of power-point presentations.
The plan would include specifics of the Gujarat model like feeder separation besides factoring local situations. When asked about the long power cuts in Hyderabad, the top sources in the centre said the response of the Chief Minister of the state was quite appalling.
The source informed that barring a few, most Chief Ministers had shown more than expected interest in the review meetings focussed on tiding over their power woes.
It may be noted that Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu has met the union power minister at least three times since he assumed power. Peeyush Goyal also visited the state in this concern. Sources said the centre was ready to extend all possible help solve the power issues of each state provided they came forward for it.
Meanwhile, Goyal said the Centre has held review meetings with 17 States so far. On the complicated issue of coal block allocations, he said the centre was waiting for the final order from Supreme Court. However, he claimed that the centre was ready for any eventuality including cancellation of all coal blocks.
News Posted: 4 September, 2014
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