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Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CPM alleges Rs 12,717 cr electricity burden on anvil
Vijayawada: The state is on the brink of another electricity burden totalling Rs 12,717 crore, according to CPM State Committee member Ch Baburao. He claims that under the current coalition government, the total electricity burden on the public could reach Rs 30,000 crore in a single year. Baburao made these remarks during a door-to-door campaign against electricity fares and smart meters in Shanti Nagar, Division 61 of the Vijayawada Central constituency. He, along with other CPM leaders and activists, distributed pamphlets, collected signatures, and held street meetings. He stated that the public is expressing strong anger over the electricity burdens, accusing the coalition government of breaking its promises. Consumers expressed frustration that while the 'Super Six' guarantees are progressing slowly, price hikes are being implemented rapidly. Baburao accused the Discoms of preparing proposals to levy a Rs 12,717 crore burden as 'true-up charges' for electricity consumed between 2019 and 2024. He alleged that this was being done with the government's approval and that the Electricity Regulatory Commission is currently collecting public opinion on the matter. He highlighted other burdens already in effect: A Rs 15,485 crore adjustment charge is already being collected for the years 2022-23. Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) charges of 40 paise per unit, amounting to Rs 2,787 crore, have already been collected this year and are ongoing monthly. The government has increased the electricity tax from 6 paise to 100 paise per unit through a legal amendment. Proposals for Rs 842 crore FPPCA charge for 2024-25 have been submitted to the council. 'The coalition leaders criticised the YSRCP government for imposing Rs 32,000 crore burden in five years, yet their own government is imposing Rs 30,000 crore burden in just one year,' Baburao said. He also strongly condemned the installation of Adani smart meters, calling it 'permanent noose' around consumers' necks. He called on the public to protest against these burdens and smart meters. He demanded that the government cancel the Rs 12,717crore true-up charges, stop the installation of smart meters, and scrap all previously imposed adjustment charges. He announced that statewide protests will be held at electricity offices on August 5 under the banner of Praja Vedika to oppose the electricity price hikes and smart meters.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh Discoms seek ERC nod to collect true-up charges of ₹12,771 cr
The three power distribution companies (discoms) in the state have filed a petition before Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), seeking permission to collect ₹12,771 crore from consumers through true-up charges . The ERC released the notification asking the public to file their objections/suggestions on the petitions filed by the discoms. The Left parties have demanded that the govt immediately withdraw the proposal. According to the affidavit, SPDCL wants to collect ₹3,046 crore through true-up charges to recover the actual costs of power supplied from 2019 to 2024. APEPDCL has urged the commission to allow it to collect ₹7,790 crore, while APCPDCL wants to recover ₹1,935 crore. The discoms have been collecting fuel and power purchase cost adjustment (FPPCA) charges for the past three years. Recently, the distribution companies filed a petition before APERC seeking ratification of its decision to collect 40 paise per unit, which has been continuing for the past six months. While APERC, in Nov 2024, allowed the discoms to recover ₹9,412 crore through FPPCA charges , the discoms levied nearly ₹14,000 crore burden on the consumers in the last one year, citing old dues. However, energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has made it clear that the govt has no plans to increase power tariff , adding that power tariff may be reduced in the coming days. He blamed the previous YSRCP govt for the discoms' move to collect the true-up and FPPCA charges. "The mismanagement and irregularities during the YSRCP regime forced discoms to recover the true-up and FPPCA charges from the consumer. The discoms have filed petitions to collect the dues pertaining to the YSRCP regime," Gottipati claimed. Dismissing the minister's allegations, CPI-M leaders V Srinivasa Rao and Ch Baburao said blaming the previous regime is only a "cover-up act" by the TDP-led NDA govt, and warned of agitations across the state if the discoms did not withdraw the true-up charges notice.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AP Discoms seek ERC nod to collect true-up charges of Rs 12,771 cr
Vijayawada: The three power distribution companies (discoms) in the state have filed a petition before Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC), seeking permission to collect Rs 12,771 crore from consumers through true-up charges. The ERC released the notification asking the public to file their objections/suggestions on the petitions filed by the discoms. The Left parties have demanded that the govt immediately withdraw the proposal. According to the affidavit, SPDCL wants to collect Rs 3,046 crore through true-up charges to recover the actual costs of power supplied from 2019 to 2024. APEPDCL has urged the commission to allow it to collect Rs 7,790 crore, while APCPDCL wants to recover Rs 1,935 crore. The discoms have been collecting fuel and power purchase cost adjustment (FPPCA) charges for the past three years. Recently, the distribution companies filed a petition before APERC seeking ratification of its decision to collect 40 paise per unit, which has been continuing for the past six months. While APERC, in Nov 2024, allowed the discoms to recover Rs 9,412 crore through FPPCA charges, the discoms levied nearly Rs 14,000 crore burden on the consumers in the last one year, citing old dues. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Even Beautiful Women Have Their 'Oops' Moments Read More Undo However, energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has made it clear that the govt has no plans to increase power tariff, adding that power tariff may be reduced in the coming days. He blamed the previous YSRCP govt for the discoms' move to collect the true-up and FPPCA charges. "The mismanagement and irregularities during the YSRCP regime forced discoms to recover the true-up and FPPCA charges from the consumer. The discoms have filed petitions to collect the dues pertaining to the YSRCP regime," Gottipati claimed. Dismissing the minister's allegations, CPI-M leaders V Srinivasa Rao and Ch Baburao said blaming the previous regime is only a "cover-up act" by the TDP-led NDA govt, and warned of agitations across the state if the discoms did not withdraw the true-up charges notice.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Discoms in AP spend nearly ₹3,500 cr on short-term power procurement from exchanges
High-volume power purchases from exchanges by the distribution companies (DISCOMs) are placing a significant financial burden on consumers. In the last fiscal year, the DISCOMs spent nearly ₹3,500 crore on short-term power procurement from exchanges — exceeding limits set by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). Despite a surplus in installed power capacity, utilities are frequently shutting down state-run generation plants citing maintenance or technical issues — while resorting to costly exchange purchases. These short-term buys have escalated the sector's debts due to astronomical prices. Instead of making use of its own generation plants, the power utilities are often resorting to power purchases citing sudden demand increase or technical glitches in the operation of the plants. According to the affidavit filed with APERC, the power utilities disclosed that they purchased 5282 million units from the open market during 2024-25 financial year. This caused a massive burden as the procurement cost is around 6.78 per unit. The power utilities spent close to ₹3,580 crore exclusively for the purchase of power. The discoms have already collected ₹2787 crore from the power consumers on the pretext of FPPCA charges during the last fiscal and raised a request for collection of another ₹870 crore. In fact, the discoms revealed that they have purchased 8617 million units of power through short-term purchase during 2022-23. Surprisingly, APERC put a cap at 3675 million units for short-term purchases during 2022-23. However, the power utilities purchased 8617 million units at a cost of 9.62 per unit. The discoms spent close to ₹6670 crore for the purchases in a single fiscal year. Subsequently, the discoms simply transferred ₹6000 crore burden to the commoners in the name of FPPCA charges. The situation further deteriorated during 2023-24 when the discoms purchased a whopping 11,753 million units from the exchanges. "They have spent close to 8972 crore for power purchases from exchanges causing massive burden on the commoners," said CPM leader Ch Baburao. In fact, APERC allowed the discoms to purchase only 1551 million units. However, the power utilities purchase almost 10,000 million units over and above the cap fixed by the APERC. The discoms transferred nearly 9,412 crore burden to the commoners due to the short-term purchases. "The forecasted grid demand varies due to weather conditions and the forecasted generation vary due to outages of thermal generation or variation in renewable energy generation. In order to balance the load-generation on real time basis, the APDISCOMs overdraw/under draw from the grid. Also when there is shortfall in declared availability vis a vis the grid demand, DISCOMs are procuring shortfall from power markets, exchanges/e-bidding portal in order to ensure 24X7 power for all. A quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market. A quantum of 9 64.88 MU was sold through short term at a cost of 4.45 per unit," explained SPDCL Chief General Manager (CGM) V Sobha. CPDCL CGM K Venkata Krishna said that the availability of thermal stations decreased by 2056.56 MU(8.00 per cent) when compared to approved availability. Accordingly, the energy despatch from APGENCO thermal stations is also decreased by 1,490.75 MU than the approved quantum. He said that a quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market," said CGM.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Discoms in AP spend nearly Rs 3,500 crore on short-term power procurement from exchanges
Vijayawada: High-volume power purchases from exchanges by the distribution companies (DISCOMs) are placing a significant financial burden on consumers. In the last fiscal year, the DISCOMs spent nearly 3,500 crore on short-term power procurement from exchanges — exceeding limits set by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). Despite a surplus in installed power capacity, utilities are frequently shutting down state-run generation plants citing maintenance or technical issues — while resorting to costly exchange purchases. These short-term buys have escalated the sector's debts due to astronomical prices. Instead of making use of its own generation plants, the power utilities are often resorting to power purchases citing sudden demand increase or technical glitches in the operation of the plants. According to the affidavit filed with APERC, the power utilities disclosed that they purchased 5282 million units from the open market during 2024-25 financial year. This caused a massive burden as the procurement cost is around 6.78 per unit. The power utilities spent close to 3,580 crore exclusively for the purchase of power. The discoms have already collected 2787 crore from the power consumers on the pretext of FPPCA charges during the last fiscal and raised a request for collection of another 870 crore. In fact, the discoms revealed that they have purchased 8617 million units of power through short-term purchase during 2022-23. Surprisingly, APERC put a cap at 3675 million units for short-term purchases during 2022-23. However, the power utilities purchased 8617 million units at a cost of 9.62 per unit. The discoms spent close to 6670 crore for the purchases in a single fiscal year. Subsequently, the discoms simply transferred 6000 crore burden to the commoners in the name of FPPCA charges. The situation further deteriorated during 2023-24 when the discoms purchased a whopping 11,753 million units from the exchanges. "They have spent close to 8972 crore for power purchases from exchanges causing massive burden on the commoners," said CPM leader Ch Baburao. In fact, APERC allowed the discoms to purchase only 1551 million units. However, the power utilities purchase almost 10,000 million units over and above the cap fixed by the APERC. The discoms transferred nearly 9,412 crore burden to the commoners due to the short-term purchases. "The forecasted grid demand varies due to weather conditions and the forecasted generation vary due to outages of thermal generation or variation in renewable energy generation. In order to balance the load-generation on real time basis, the APDISCOMs overdraw/under draw from the grid. Also when there is shortfall in declared availability vis a vis the grid demand, DISCOMs are procuring shortfall from power markets, exchanges/e-bidding portal in order to ensure 24X7 power for all. A quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market. A quantum of 9 64.88 MU was sold through short term at a cost of 4.45 per unit," explained SPDCL Chief General Manager (CGM) V Sobha. CPDCL CGM K Venkata Krishna said that the availability of thermal stations decreased by 2056.56 MU(8.00 %) when compared to approved availability. Accordingly, the energy despatch from APGENCO thermal stations is also decreased by 1,490.75 MU than the approved quantum. He said that a quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market," said CGM.
