Power crisis looms large: Shabbir Ali warns KCR

Hyderabad, Jan 16 (INN): Deputy CLP leader in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday asked Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to wake up from slumber to resolve the energy crisis in Telangana State.

Speaking to media persons in the Assembly premises here, Shabbir Ali alleged that the Telangana Government lacks clarity on the power supply position. While Energy Minister C Laxma Reddy has been giving assurances of seven hour power supply to farmers, the DISCOMS say that they could not provide power for more than five hours.

He asked the State Government to give a specific assurance to the farmers. He said similar confusion led to heavy losses to the farming community in Khariff season which consequently led to suicide by more than 500 farmers. He said that the government should not mislead the farmers by giving them false assurances and hopes.

Shabbir Ali said it is unprecedented that power cuts are being imposed in the State during the month of January. He said previous governments used to impose power cuts in view of rise in demand due to summer season. However, imposition of power cuts in January clearly shows the inefficiency of the TRS Government in managing the situation.

The Congress leader also slammed the Chief Minister for delay in implementation of different power projects in Telangana. He said while 600 MW Kakatiya Thermal and 2x600 MW Power Project at Manchrial got delayed, the government did not move an inch after signing the MoU with Chattisgarh for the supply of 1,000 MW of power.

He said no works have been taken up for the establishment of line and grid from Chattisgarh to Dichpally. Likewise, there is no progress on 4,000 MW project by the NTPC, as approved under the Andhra Pradesh State Regorganisation Act, 2014. He said even AICC President Sonia Gandhi had given an assurance to the people of Karimnagar that the project would come up in their district.

Shabbir Ali strongly condemned Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu for creating energy crisis in Telangana State. He said Naidu was deliberately delaying the Commissioning of 2x800 MW Krishnapatnam Ultra power project just to deny Telangana its share of power. One unit is already ready since last 5-6 month and another one would be ready in a short while.

However, Naidu is not declaring CoD as it would facilitate Telangana State in getting 53.89% share in its production. Describing Naidu's behaviour as unfair, he accused Naidu of cheating the people of Telangana. Similarly, another project by Hindujas of 2x520 MW is being delayed deliberately, he alleged.

Asking KCR to wake up slumber, Shabbir Ali said that the Chief Minister should have taken up the issue either with the Centre or the Supreme Court. He said that the development of entire State depends on power and therefore, the government should not act slowly on such matters.

He said instead of holding review meeting in view of next GHMC elections, the Chief Minister should conduct a meeting to review the power supply position. He said when the Chief Minister could spend three days in Warangal in view of municipal elections, why he could not spend three days in Delhi to overcome the power crisis.

The Congress leader also ridiculed the Chief Minister for stating that he was being denied an appointment by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said when Chandrababu Naidu can meet the Prime Minister 4-5 times, then why KCR is unable to get an appointment.

He asked KCR to explain whether the Prime Minister was denying him an appointment or he himself is not interested in meeting him. Else, he said both Modi and KCR must be acting in tandem as part of some secret agenda.

Shabbir Ali also slammed Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu for being partial to Telangana State and acting like cabinet minister of just AP. He said being a Union Minister he should give equal treatment to all States.

When the Centre could convene an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the increase in MLC seats for AP, why it could not discuss the Telangana's power crisis? People of Telangana too are Telugu speaking people, he said and condemned his silence on issues like bifurcation of High Court, power crisis, EAMCET, etc., He said whether the increase in MLC seats was more urgent that Telangana's power crisis.

The Congress leader also criticized the Telangana Government for not participating in the recently held Pravasi Bharati Divas. He said neither the Chief Minister nor any of his ministers participated in the event to seek investments from the NRIs. This shows KCR's lack of seriousness in attracting investments for the State, he said.