YSRCP catches TDP off-guard, attends assembly over power tariff hike

The YSRCP members stalled the proceedings and wanted the government to take up a discussion on the issue of power tariff hike immediately. The party members gave an adjournment motion to this effect. However, Speaker disallowed the motion and wanted the house to get on with the question hour. The YSRCP MLAs began chanting slogans demanding rollback of the power tariff hike and stalled the proceedings. The Speaker had adjourned the house thrice, for ten minutes each in the first two instances and for 15 minutes in the third adjournment, to bring order. 

Following the adjournment, YSRCP once again requested the Speaker for a discussion. The Speaker stated that a discussion would be taken up only after the CM made a statement. The YSRCP demanded an immediate discussion. However. when the house reassembled, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu contended that 86 per cent of the people of Andhra Pradesh would remain unaffected by the tariff hike. He also said that the agro-based industries would also not be affected by the tariff. He said those who expend up to 200 units, would be unaffected by the power tariff. He said the power tariff in AP was among the lowest and said that he had rejected the proposals of the Electrical Regulatory Authority.