State-wide protests in AP over power charges on June 30

 VIJAYAWADA: A state-level meeting of 10-left parties has called for dharnas on June 30 opposing the electricity true-up charges imposed by the central and state governments. The meeting passed several unanimous resolutions demanding withdrawal of fuel adjustment charges, stopping collection of true-up charges and withdrawing of smart metres. Another resolution said the government should withdraw its proposals to privatise the power sector.

CPM state secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is following the central government’s directive to implement power reforms in the state, even though these reforms are not being implemented in BJP-ruled states.

CPI state secretary K. Ramakrishna reminded the CM about his promise not to impose additional burden on people of the state. But now, the Chief Minister is collecting ₹50,000 crore from the power consumers alone, he pointed out.