TDP calls for signature campaign against power rates

Naidu stages one-day fast against steep hike in tariff Kakinada: After successfully completing the one-day fast in front of the Nagamalli Thota power substation here on Monday, former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu lambasted the government for hiking power tariff, putting a heavy burden on the people. Naidu recalled that in spite of drought conditions continuously for four years during the TDP regime, his government ensured nine-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers. During the TDP regime, the power tariff was enhanced by Rs 1600 crore, he recalled and added that the State government had burdened people for Rs 32,000 crore and again now ready to levy an additional burden of Rs. 6,500 crore in the name of fuel surcharge adjustment. He said that many small scale industries were closed due to the severe power cuts. He called upon the people to collect signatures against this unjust burden and submit the same to the Governor. Chandrababu demanded publication of a white paper on the power sector from 1994 to 2013 to highlight how the then and now governments acted on the power problem. After completing the one-day fast, Chandrababu continued his pada yatra from Nagamalli Thota centre to Sarpavaram junction and APSP.