No power tariff hike:CM Chandrababu Naidu

Amaravathi, Feb 09: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made it clear that there will be no power tariff hike and the benefits of true-down charges to be passed on directly to consumers.
Addressing ministers and secretaries conference at Secretariat today, the Chief Minister said power generation should be made with the concept of net zero elimination. The true down charges should be transferred directly to consumers. Solar roof top projects, wind, pumped storage power generation should be speeded up. He said earlier the state faced shortage of power and now moving forward towards power surplus stage. He said efforts are on to reduce power purchase price to Rs 3.90.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to constantly monitor opportunities to ensure marketing support and better prices for agricultural produce. Greater focus should be made on crops that have a global market. To develop Rayalaseema as a horticulture hub, we should focus not only on Central government funds but also on private investments. He said currently, Rayalaseema alone producing 22 million metric tones of horticulture produce and a target was set to achieve 40 million metric tonnes. He said a four-lane railway line from Ichchapuram to Nellore is coming up and the speed train project will also materialize soon.
He said at least 1,000 buses in APSRTC should be converted to EVs. Recently, more than 5,000 e-cycles were distributed in Kuppam.
Citing an example of administrative delays, he said to set up a small rice mill more than 30 permissions are required and this situation must be changed. On one hand, we talk about Speed of Doing Business and on the other such hurdles still exist. Rules must be simplified in key departments such as Fire Services, Municipal Administration, Forest, School Education and others.
The Chief Minister said AP should be ahead in introducing reforms and rules should be simplified to see that there should be no obstacles to the Speed of Doing Business. Rules related to sand and mining should be simplified and a single-window system must be followed.
Complaints are still coming that officials in NTR and Krishna districts are creating hurdles in the supply of sand and gravel required for the capital city and directed the officials to ensure uninterrupted material supply so that construction in the capital region faces no obstacles.
Government services must be made accessible through WhatsApp Governance. Good governance means people should be able to complete their work without repeatedly visiting government offices.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to focus on product perfection as only quality products can capture larger markets. We have created a brand named ‘Swayam’ for Self-Help Groups, providing them access to large markets. Just like Araku Coffee, cocoa crops must also receive strong branding. Both product quality and brand image are essential. From Ugadi onwards, an action plan should be prepared for increasing green cover in schools using indigenous tree species. Student participation will yield better results. The coastal erosion prevention project undertaken by the Deputy Chief Minister is commendable and Orchid cultivation in coastal areas will help both farmers’ income and erosion control.
The Registration Department recorded Rs 9,103 crore revenue showing a 27 per cent growth and departments like Excise, Commercial Taxes, Stamps & Registrations and Municipal Administration must function efficiently. He said all government departments must immediately utilize funds received under Central schemes. District Collectors must promptly complete KYC for unclaimed deposits.There are 1,04,727 PD accounts with unclaimed deposits worth Rs 148 crore, which can be utilized by District Collectors. However, KYC has been completed for only 7,742 accounts, covering deposits worth Rs 34 crore.
Based on reforms, ensure speedy release of project funds under SASCI. He said as per estimates in the coming financial year, the state can receive Rs 26,021 crore through Centrally Sponsored Schemes.