CPI(M) opposes installation of smart electricity meters in Vijayawada
Addressing the press on Saturday, CPI(M) central city secretary Bhupathi Ramana Rao alleged that the smart meters and solar power projects are being used as a cover for large-scale corruption involving contracts and tenders worth crores of rupees. He criticised the government's double standards, pointing out that when the previous government proposed smart meters, TDP, the then-opposition party, had called for their destruction. 'The current coalition must remember its earlier stance,' he said.
Mr. Ramana Rao further stated that public sentiment is strongly against the installation of smart meters. He demanded that the government immediately cancel the smart meter and solar power agreements. Highlighting ongoing protests, he said that the CPI(M) has been conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns over the past week in Governorpet, Suryaraopet, and Seetharampuram areas, educating residents about the implications of smart meters and helping them submit individual objections.
The CPI(M) leaders submitted a petition and public grievance applications to the assistant engineer at the Governorpet electricity office, demanding a halt to smart meter installations. Ramana Rao warned that if the Electricity Department and the coalition government fail to consider the public's demands, the party would intensify the agitation by mobilising large-scale protests across the city.
CPI(M) central city committee members Y. Subbarao, local leaders K. Gurumurthy, B. Lakshman Rao, and K. Venkateswara Reddy were among those who participated in the protest activities.
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His open squabbles with the then party state secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, cost him a place in the politburo. But setbacks and humiliations could not inflict any lasting effect on him. No wonder left intellectual Prof M N Vijayan once accused VS of 'feeding on defeat'! The indomitable spirit of VS was visible even in his 90s when he appointed a tutor to teach him Hindi after he was appointed the administrative reforms committee chairman.
