Hyderabad: The new power minister, Mr G. Jagadish Reddy, who is attending an international conference of education ministers in London will be surprised to know the change in his portfolio.
Mr Reddy is known to be a tough negotiator while dealing with issues related to bifurcation. The manner in which he handled the Eamcet row as education minister and parted ways with AP higher education council came in for appreciation in the state. He is expected to follow a tough line at the power ministry too.
One of the major challenges he faces is the huge power crisis. The government has indicated that it is difficult to supply five hours of power to farmers during the Rabi season. It is likely to declare two power holidays for industrial units in peak summer. The government plans to minimise power cuts to general consumers to quell public anger.
A hot issue that Mr Reddy would be expected to handle is the over power from the Krishnapatnam thermal power plant. At a recent meeting, TS officers alleged that their AP counterparts had not supplied power generated at the plant on a trial basis.
The TS government wants ownership of the Krishnapatnam plant, citing the power sharing pattern of discoms. This stand has been rejected by AP which says the pattern was unscientific and that the plant was located on its soil. Last week’s row over Srisailam may also grow bigger if Mr Jagadish Reddy remains unyielding. Mr Reddy hails from Nalgonda district which was recently declared as a power hub where nine thermal stations will be set up in five years.
