Telugu Desam leaders protest against power tariff hike and power cuts in Nellore

TIRUPATI: Telugu Desam leaders on Thursday staged a protest in front of the AP Southern Power Distribution Company of Ltd (APSPDCL) office against the recent hike in power tariffs and the prevailing power cuts.

Addressing the media, TD Nellore city in-charge, Kotamreddy Srinivasulu, highlighted the concerns of the people and accused the YSRC government of negligence. He alleged that the government had increased the power tariffs eight times under the guise of modifying slabs, fixed charges and additional deposits, among other factors.

He also expressed the difficulties faced by the residents due to frequent and unofficial power cuts.

Kotamreddy said that the government has placed a burden on middle-class families, who are now receiving minimum electricity bills of ₹1,000 per month. “Starting this month, the government imposed an additional charge of ₹1 per unit for commercial use. The state government has failed to increase power generation,” he said.

He said corruption was the reason why there was a heavier burden on power consumers in the state.

Kotamreddy alleged that the government falsely attributed the usage of over 300 units to even poor and middle-class families in an attempt to reduce social service security pensions for the beneficiaries. Over the past four years, the government had removed eight lakh pensions, he said.