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Power reforms worth ₹6,000 crore underway in Andhra Pradesh, says Minister

Power reforms worth ₹6,000 crore underway in Andhra Pradesh, says Minister

The Hindu5 days ago
Minister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Monday said that the State government has taken up several reforms in power sector including aloting ₹6,000 crore to resolve low-voltage problems and improve power supply in the State.
He along with Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao and Prakasam District Collector A. Thameem Ansariya laid foundation stone for 33/11 KV electricity substation with ₹3.80 crore at Housing Board Colony in the city. He also inaugurated a 33/11 KV electricity substation constructed at a cost of ₹4.80 crore in Venkateswara Colony.
The Minister also participated in 'Suparipalana Lo Tholi Adugu–Intintiki Telugu Desam' programme in Ongole on Monday.
He launched Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) works amounting to ₹10.50 crore aimed at strengthening electricity infrastructure in the region. He assured farmers that the government would not install smart meters for agricultural connections in the State and clarified that the smart meters are being installed only for commercial and industrial purposes.
Dismissing false propaganda about high billing due to smart meters, the Minister said that any issues will be promptly addressed by the government. He claimed that the previous government had raised the power tariffs nine times, placing undue burden on the people and strongly criticised YSR Congress Party leaders involved in the liquor scam.
Mr. Ravi Kumar further said, 'Those who are responsible for manufacturing and distributing substandard liquor that endangered poor people's lives will face strict legal action. The law will take its course and ensure justice. A massive amount of public money was looted through transactions made without records. The masterminds behind this scam will not be able to escape.'
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