Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Wednesday condemned the reported move by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to cancel the Power Purchase Lease Agreements (PPLAs) with the power companies.
Speaking to media persons at the State Secretariat in Hyderabad, Rao alleged that the cancellation of the PPLAs would intensify the energy crisis in Telangana, and would also cripple the industries operating in the State.
He said that Naidu's move was against the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act.
He alleged that the move to cancel the PPLAs was aimed at scaring away industries from Telangana.
Harish Rao alleged that Naidu was forcing the industries to shift their bases to Andhra Pradesh by taking steps like this.
Questioning Naidu's stand on equal justice for both the Telugu States, he asked the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister to clarify about the impact of the move on the Telugu speaking people of Telangana. He said that the PPLA's cancellation would badly hit the power supply position in Hyderabad, which is the joint capital of both the States.
The minister asked Naidu to restrain from cancelling the PPLAs at this stage. He said that it would send a wrong message among the people, especially the industries. He assured that the Telangana government would make alternate arrangements and would supply power to the State at any cost. (INN)