Andhra Govt To Allocate Rs 10,135 Cr For Subsidy For Free Power Supply

The Andhra Pradesh government has given a nod to allocate Rs 10,135.22 crore for 2023-24 as subsidy for providing nine hours free power supply to agriculture consumers. This was disclosed by the state’s Minister for Energy Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy during a meeting with power utilities at Vijaywada on Sunday.

Addressing the meeting, Reddy said that the state government is committed towards public well-being and effectively implementing the welfare programs under the prestigious Navaratnalu scheme in the AP Power sector. He said that the scheme is benefitting lakhs of families already. 

“The government has agreed to allocate Rs 10,135.22 crore for 2023-24 as subsidy for providing nine hours free power supply to agriculture consumers and concessions extended to SC, ST and MBC consumers and aqua farmers and also a subsidy for domestic consumers as well. Further, there will be no increase in electricity charges for all classes of consumers,” Reddy commented. 

He further added, “For the industries like ferroalloy which consumes a lot of electricity, Rs 475 per KVA demand charges are levied on par with general industries. There are no demand charges for these ferroalloy industries till now. Energy charges are also 50 paise less per unit compared to conventional industries and there are no peak demand charges.” 

Speaking on this occasion, AP’s Special chief secretary K Vijayanand said AP power utilities shall put all concerted efforts to be the best State in the country providing 24X7 quality and reliable power. He asked power utilities to be more cautious during the summers.