CPI(M) demands refund of ‘excess power charges' of ₹2,787 crore collected in Andhra Pradesh
According to the letter dated Wednesday, the DISCOMs in the State had been levying an additional ₹0.40 per unit every month under the guise of FPPCA charges and this has resulted in an excess collection of ₹2,787.19 crore from the consumers—a figure publicly available on the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) website under the summary tables, he said.
He said that the SPDCL and CPDCL have sought permission from the APERC to recover an additional ₹842.68 crore, claiming it as part of their true-up charges, despite already collecting the significant excess. 'Even in this month's power bills, ₹0.40 per unit has been charged under FPPCA,' Mr. Srinivasa Rao pointed out.
The CPI(M) leader criticised the DISCOMs for issuing press releases claiming that there had been no power tariff hikes this year, calling such statements 'misleading and deceptive'.
'Ensure the government issues a direct clarification on power charges. Refund the excess amount collected from consumers without delay. Stop the collection of ₹0.40 per unit adjustment charges immediately,' he said.
'Calculated fraud'
Meanwhile, CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao criticised the government during a public hearing held by the Electricity Regulatory Commission from Kurnool on Wednesday.
Participating in the programme in virtual mode from Vijayawada, he condemned what he called 'manipulation of electricity tariffs'. 'The true-up and fuel adjustment charges are calculated move to fraud the power consumers,' he alleged.
Highlighting staggering financial losses of over ₹30,000 crore due to administrative failures and corruption in the power sector, he questioned why no investigation had been initiated even after a year.
He demanded a judicial inquiry into all 'such scandals'.
Mr. Babu Rao urged the Electricity Regulatory Commission to stop 'acting as a rubber stamp' and to stand by the consumers.
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