TDP Regime Caused Huge Losses Through PPAs : YS Jagan

Amaravati: Heated discussions took place between the ruling party and opposition Telugu Desam Party benches in the state assembly on Friday. Andhra Pradesh chief minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy nailed the TDP's false arguments, substantiating his statement with evidence. He faulted the TDP's behaviour, using a popular Telugu proverb to mean people never change. YS Jagan stated that huge irregularities had taken place under the TDP and pointed out that the Chandrababu government had needlessly bought power at a higher rate.

YS Jagan clarified that it was in public interest that the government taken up a review of the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) made during the TDP regime. Chandrababu Naidu was carrying out false propaganda with regard to the expert committee comprising former chief secretary Ajeya Kallam and the energy secretary. Chandrababu appears to be gripped by fear at the very mention of review of PPAs, YS Jagan said.

The chief minister pointed out that violating APERC guidelines, the TDP government had purchased surplus power at a higher rate from 2015-16 to 2018-19. The Chandrababu government had tweaked the agreements process to cause benefit to a few companies, he said. The TDP government had purchased power at a higher cost spending Rs. 2654 crore, the AP chief minister said.
YS Jagan referred to wind power purchase agreements made by the TDP government at higher rates. The Chandrababu government bought wind power at 4.84 per unit when thermal power at a per unit cost of Rs.4.20 was available according to APERC rates. An additional burden of Rs. 2766 crore was placed on the state exchequer, he stated. YS Jagan pointed out that interestingly, 64% of the power purchase was done through 3 companies.