YSR Congress Party Initiates Statewide Demonstrations in Andhra Pradesh Against Electricity Rate Increase
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Amaravati, Dec 26 (NationPress) The YSR Congress Party, which serves as the opposition in Andhra Pradesh, has organized protests throughout the state on Friday in reaction to the recent surge in power tariffs.
During these demonstrations, the YSRCP plans to submit memoranda to divisional engineers and other appointed officials at the offices of the Electricity Department, urging for immediate relief for the public.
The opposition party has vehemently criticized the TDP-led government for imposing a burdensome electricity tariff.
They pointed out that in just six months, a staggering Rs 15,485 crore in power charges was collected, which includes Rs 6,000 crore from November bills and a projected Rs 9,412 crore for December.
Addressing the media at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli, former minister Dr. Merugu Nagarjuna emphasized the escalating financial burden on residents. He noted that electricity rates have increased by 25-55 percent even during winter, raising concerns about potentially unaffordable prices in the approaching summer months. Despite a 1.17 percent dip in power demand compared to the previous year, unofficial load shedding continues, revealing the operational shortcomings of the TDP government, he stated.
Nagarjuna also criticized the removal of 200 free units of electricity for SC/ST families. He asserted that the YSRCP government allocated Rs 47,800 crore in subsidies to DISCOMs between 2019 and 2024, while only Rs 13,255.76 crore was granted during the TDP's previous term (2014–2019).
He accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of undermining public trust with unfulfilled promises, including the widely discussed “Super 6” manifesto.
Nagarjuna also reminded the public of past grievances, such as the 2000 Bashir Bagh police firing on farmers protesting against a rise in power tariffs.
The YSRCP is demanding an immediate rollback of the Rs 15,485 crore in increased tariffs and the restoration of the 200-unit free power benefit for SC/ST families. The party reiterated its dedication to representing the people's voice through peaceful and democratic methods.
