State Secretary of CPI(M) V. Srinivasa Rao. File photo: Arranging.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has warned that a ‘Satta Andolan’ will be launched if the state government does not roll back its decision to impose true-up charges, smart and prepaid charges on electricity consumers.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, CPI(M) State Secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said that installing smart meters for pump sets for agricultural land would put a burden on the people.
“The government says meters will be fixed only for those consuming 200 units. And each meter costs between ₹13,000 to ₹14,000. This will put a burden of Rs 10,000 crore on consumers. Smart meters neither benefit the consumers nor the discoms. The Adani and Ambani groups which run joint ventures with foreign companies will only benefit at the end of the day,” he explained.
As per the law, the state government should not buy meters without the approval of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). But, the government went ahead and bought the meters.
APERC should make a note of the expenditure and conduct an inquiry, he said and added, “Prayas Energy Group got the meters installed in Srikakulam district inspected. The government should make the report public.”
“The government handed over 75,000 acres of land to the Adani group in the name of Harita Energy, following instructions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If the proposal is implemented, the tribals of Manyam and Alluri districts will be rendered homeless. We request the government to reconsider its plan of not handing over the land to the Adani group.”
State Secretariat member of CPI(M) Ch. Babu Rao was also present.