HYDERABAD: Suggesting further softening of equations between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said his State would be more than willing to offer surplus power to TS which is confronted with a severe electricity shortage.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of his two-day visit to Delhi during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union Ministers, the AP Chief Minister said he had initiated steps to augment generation from power stations in the State. “Once we are surplus, we will give top priority to offering the same to Telangana,” he said.
Stating that he had briefed the PM and others about the power crisis in Telangana as well, Naidu said several gas-based units in AP have almost become non-productive assets owing to non-supply of gas. Therefore, he had urged the Centre to accord priority to ensuring supply of gas to these stations.
Naidu said he was confident that 24-hour power supply could be ensured to all households in AP by the deadline already set — October 2. The government was also exploring various energy conservation measures such as usage of LED lamps for public lighting and modern pumpsets for farm operations. “Each unit saved is equivalent to two units generated” will be the motto for his government as it goes about streamlining the power sector. On the ongoing controversy regarding the new capital for the residuary state on which ministers have been making varying comments, Naidu made it clear it would be located at a central place.
“You cannot have the capital at a remote place. There will be practical difficulties. At the same time, we will make sure that every city and town in AP is developed properly,” he said.
Among the many requests he has made to the PM and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the important one was to bridge the gap between resources and expenditure as promised in the AP Reorganisation Act.