Power tariff hike fails to rescue AP discoms from financial crisis
The discoms' precarious fiscal position has stalled development works and triggered criticism from chief secretary K Vijayanand, who reprimanded officials during a recent review meeting in Bapatla for delays in executing planned infrastructure upgrades.
Field-level officials have been tight-lipped, citing contractors' reluctance to engage with discoms due to chronic delays in payments. Senior officials fear court-ordered attachments if dues remain unpaid, with discoms reportedly owing nearly 2,000 crore to various firms.
Documents accessed by TOI reveal that Hyderabad-based Vijai Electricals has approached the commercial court in Visakhapatnam, seeking a directive for EPDCL to clear nearly 80 crore in dues. Taking serious note of the matter, chief secretary Vijayanand instructed the EPDCL CMD to expedite payments. The firm had completed works under the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), funded by the Centre.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50!
Lulutox
Undo
While EPDCL is seeking financial assistance from the state govt, the latter has directed the utility to manage the crisis using its own resources. "The discoms are struggling to clear dues to the tune of Rs.2000 crore to different agencies," said a senior official.
APDRP aimed to reduce transmission and distribution losses, improve the reliability and quality of power supply, and enhance the transparency of power utility operations through IT implementation.
Reducing Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses.
"The govt hereby accord permission to the CMD, EPDCL to arrange balance payments in APDRP project from internal funds through PD account in order to avoid execution orders of attachment in the commercial court," chief secretary Vijayanand clearly stated in his communication with EPDCL CMD.
Despite repeated alerts from the chief secretary's office, EPDCL has failed to respond.
Sources indicate that other discoms are facing similar financial constraints. Speculation is mounting that a major firm—allegedly close to top figures in the previous YSRCP govt — has gained disproportionate influence over the energy department and is receiving preferential treatment in bill clearance as soon as funds arrive from the Centre or state.
This firm, a key promoter of a controversial solar power project, has reportedly secured 20,000 acres of greenfield land in Karedu, despite fierce protests from local farmers.
Ironically, Vijai Electricals — struggling to recover its dues — is owned by veteran TDP leader Dasari Jai Ramesh from the Gannavaram constituency.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
21 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Landowners unhappy as BDA offers ‘fraction of market value' for PRR
Going by the new proposal, the BDA has fixed Rs 6.75 crore per acre for the land it needs in Varthur by considering three times the guidance value.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Footfall in RTO office reduces by 60%, says RTO
Mangaluru: The office of the Mangaluru RTO has witnessed a drastic decline in footfall, thanks to the online facilities in the Parivahan portal, said RTO Shridhar K Mallad. At a transport adalat held on Monday, the RTO stated that the Mangaluru RTO office issues an average of 500-600 Registration Certificate (RC) smart cards and 300-400 driving licences (DL) per day. In the past year, 1.4 lakh smart cards were delivered to applicants' addresses. Since the Parivahan portal offers options to apply for or renew licences and several other features, the majority of people have stopped visiting the RTO office. He requested people to update their mobile numbers in their RC and DL by logging on to the Parivahan portal so that all messages pertaining to various information will be delivered to the users' mobile phones. With e-challan systems implemented through the Command and Control Centre, owners now receive real-time notifications on traffic violations, vehicle fitness expiry, DL expiry, and other updates, he added. In response to a complaint raised by a participant, the RTO said the office premises are free from crowds. "People need to go to different counters at the RTO office to get their work done. They can apply for everything online through Parivahan. The RC and DL are sent to the applicant's address by speed post. There is no mess at the RTO office now as more than 60% of the applications are processed online. People need not come to the RTO office," he said. The govt has sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the renovation of the RTO office. The public works department will commence the work soon, he said. On a proposal to open pre-paid autorickshaw counters at railway stations in Mangaluru, the RTO mentioned that a team of officials has already conducted a study in Palakkad and Mysuru. A confusion regarding the rent for the pre-paid parking counters will be resolved soon to commence the system, he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
ITC Hotels hopes to go beyond own target, have 220 hotels by '30
1 2 Kolkata: ITC Hotels chairman Sanjiv Puri said on Monday that the company aimed to have a portfolio of 220 operational hotels with over 20,000 keys by 2030. He was speaking to shareholders at the first AGM after the demerger of ITC Hotels. The company had earlier set a target of 200 properties by 2030. "The company is looking at all opportunities, either through its investments or through management contracts. As far as the roadmap is concerned, what we said when the listing happened was that by 2030, we will have 200 hotels. As we stand today, we believe that this will be easily surpassed and will be 220," he said. Currently, the company has 140 hotels. The hotel business of the diversified conglomerate ITC Ltd was demerged into ITC Hotels Ltd with effect from Jan 1, 2025. The equity shares of the company were listed on the NSE and BSE on Jan 29. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata During his speech at the AGM, the first time following the hospitality major's listing on the stock exchanges, Puri said, "We stand today at a transformative juncture as significant opportunities unfold for the tourism and hospitality sector. ITC Hotels is well poised to script a new chapter with sharp strategic focus, enhanced agility, soulful hospitality, and a commitment to long-term value creation." He said the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector in India is riding a wave of resurgence, with a record Rs 3.1 trillion international visitor spending in 2024. Domestic travel spending reached Rs 15.5 trillion, which is 22% above 2019 levels. "Your company signed 30 management and franchise contracts last year, contributing to a healthy pipeline of 58 hotels with over 5,300 keys and is well on the way to crossing our target of 200 hotels by 2030," Puri said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
