Tadepalli, September 30: Former minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for his lies on electricity charges and the so-called “true-down” refund. “Chandrababu Naidu first looted the people with unethical collections and subsequently when forced by the Electricity Regulatory Commission to return a fraction, he shamelessly claimed it as his own generosity. This is deception of the highest order,” Peddireddy said.
During the financial year 2024–25, the three distribution companies together collected Rs. 2,787.18 crores from consumers under Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) at the rate of 40 paise per unit per month.
After the financial year, the discoms approached to APERC with claims in the following manner: CSPDCL sought an additional Rs. 349 crore in “true-up” charges. APSPDCL sought another Rs. 493 crore. APEPDCL, on the other hand, admitted its expenditure was actually Rs. 1,292 crore less and requested a refund to consumers as “true-down.”
APERC examined these petitions after publishing them for objections on July 9, 2025, and finally, on September 27, 2025, delivered its order. Against the discoms’ exaggerated demand of Rs. 2,758.76 crore, ERC approved only Rs. 1,863.64 crore. The balance of Rs. 923.55 crore was ordered to be refunded to consumers in 12 monthly instalments from November 2025 to October 2026, at 13 paise/unit per month.
Peddireddy pointed out that less than one-third of what was forcibly collected is being returned. Yet, Chandrababu and his friendly yellow media shamelessly portray this refund as if it were Naidu’s gift to the people. “This is like a man who robs your pocket and then boasts of buying you food with your own stolen money,” Peddireddy said.
He added that “If Chandrababu really believed in relief, he should have avoided the levy of 40 paise altogether. When Chandrababu became Chief Minister, during the release of white paper on power sector, while referring to FPPCA, he remarked that through means unheard of the YSRCP Government burdened the people. In the year in which he made this comment, he shamelessly levied the burden of Rs. 2,787 crores through the same FPPCA route. Now, when APERC disapproved passing on the entire burden to the consumers, Chandrababu unscrupulously pats himself on the back, claiming that the true down was owing to his benevolence.”
In just fifteen months of Naidu rule, the coalition government has crushed the people under an additional burden of Rs. 18,272.05 crore through various forms of electricity charges. Even after being forced by APERC to refund Rs. 923.55 crore, households are still left carrying an unbearable load of Rs. 17,348 crore. To make matters worse, the government continues to collect the illegal 40 paise per unit FPPCA surcharge every single month, a clear sign that it has neither sincerity nor concern for the people it is exploiting.
APERC also exposed how Chandrababu’s government purchased power above the approved rates. While ERC had fixed the price at Rs. 5.27 per unit, discoms under the coalition paid: APEPDCL: Rs. 5.84 per unit, APCPDCL: Rs. 5.86 per unit, and APSPDCL: Rs. 5.89 per unit
“This is open evidence of mismanagement and dishonesty. Instead of protecting consumers, Chandrababu chose to burden them with inflated costs,” Peddireddy said.
Peddireddy strongly condemned the yellow media for whitewashing this shameful record. “Yellow media is projecting a forced regulatory refund as Chandrababu’s ‘benevolence’. In truth, APERC’s order is nothing but a public indictment of this government’s lies, loot, and inefficiency. Chandrababu’s tongue has turned poisonous with falsehood. From power bills to super six promises, deception is his daily routine,” he said.
“Under YS Jagan’s leadership, people’s welfare was protected; under Chandrababu’s coalition, people are looted and then mocked with propaganda. No amount of false words can hide the truth: ERC’s order is not Naidu’s kindness, it is a slap on his exploitation,” Peddireddy declared.
*Corporate colleges turn into finance agents in Naidu government*
