Amaravati, Feb 9 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, declared on Monday that there will be no increase in power tariffs and assured that the advantages of true-down charges will be directly given to consumers.

During a conference with ministers and secretaries at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized that power generation should align with the goal of net-zero emissions. He instructed officials to facilitate the direct transfer of true-down charges to consumers.

He urged the acceleration of solar rooftop initiatives, as well as wind and pumped storage power generation. The state, which previously struggled with power shortages, is now progressing towards a power surplus status. Efforts are underway to bring down the power purchase price to Rs 3.90, he noted.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to continuously explore options to provide marketing support and improved prices for agricultural products, emphasizing the need to concentrate on crops that have potential in global markets. “To transform Rayalaseema into a horticulture hub, we need to seek not just Central government funding but also private investments,” he stated.

CM Chandrababu Naidu pointed out that Rayalaseema is currently producing 22 million tonnes of horticultural products and has set a target of 40 million tonnes.

A four-lane railway line from Ichchapuram to Nellore is currently under construction, and plans for a high-speed train project are expected to materialize soon.

He mentioned that at least 1,000 buses in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) should transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

Highlighting inefficiencies in the administrative process, he noted that establishing a small rice mill requires over 30 permissions, which must be streamlined. On one hand, we advocate for swift business operations, while on the other, we face such bureaucratic challenges. Simplification of rules in critical departments like Fire Services, Municipal Administration, Forest, and School Education is essential, he stated.

Furthermore, he instructed officials to make government services accessible via WhatsApp. Good governance entails that citizens should be able to accomplish their tasks without having to make multiple visits to government offices, he stressed.

He also addressed ongoing complaints regarding officials in NTR and Krishna districts who are obstructing the supply of essential materials such as sand and gravel for the capital city, directing officials to ensure a steady supply so that there are no interruptions in construction within the capital region.