Assembly Begins Debate On Energy Crisis

Following strong protests from the Opposition parties, the State Legislative Assembly on Monday began a debate on the power crisis.

Initiating the debate, TDP MLA P Keshav said that the state was reeling under a severe power crisis. He said that the situation is so bad that emergency operations at hospitals are being performed under candle-light. He said that farmers, industries, and students are badly hit due to the power crisis. He also accused the government of harassing those who are protesting against the power crisis.

Keshav demanded that the government immediately withdraw the FSA and other hikes in the power tariff. He also demanded that the government issue a White Paper on the energy crisis.

However, Government Whip Srinivas denied the allegations and described them as political in nature.

Intervening on the issue, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar admitted that the energy crisis were unprecedented. However, he said that steps were being taking to resolve them. Asking the opposition parties to give constructive suggestions, he said that the government would be forced to counter political allegations.

Participating in the discussion, TRS floor leader Eetela Rajender alleged that several SC, ST colonies in the Telangana region were facing frequent cuts. Further, he said, consumers were being subjected to harassment by raids through the Vigilance Department. When Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath denied the allegations, he demanded an enquiry into the allegations and even offered to quit politics if proved wrong.

YSR Congress Deputy floor leader Shobha Nagi Reddy accused the government of mishandling the energy crisis. She said that the ultra-mega power project, proposed by former Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was being ignored by the present government.

Motkupalli Narasimhulu (TDP) alleged that energy crisis occurred only after the Congress government came to power in 2004.

Srikanth Reddy and Praveen Kumar (YSRCP), Eetela Rajender, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and T Harish Rao (TRS), Ministers - S Sailajanath, D Sridhar Babu, K Parthasarathy and Pithani Satyanarayan, G Venkata Ramana Reddy, GV Prakash Reddy and Anil Kumar (Congress) also participated in the discussion.

Deputy Speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka adjourned the House for the day by announcing that the discussion on energy crisis would continue on Tuesday. (INN)