Another Delhi Meeting On 30th July, Who Will Lose His Job This Time!?

After handing over 65 MW to AP from Telangana and at the same time, putting on backburner, all complaints of Telangana on violations done by AP, the CEA high power committee has sent notice to AP and Telangana for yet another meeting on 30th July. It needs to be seen if the committee will decide anything at least in this meeting or will again end up dishing up a few advices. Even if they decide and declare their findings, there is little possibility AP CM Chandrababu Naidu would heed to any of it, if it means giving Telangana the power it is entitled to, under the AP Reorganisation Act. A day after the committee has been set up, the AP CM said in Hyderabad that it is ‘just an advisory committee’ and that what they instruct is not binding on AP Government. Of course, that didn’t stop him from taking the 65 MW the committee granted in the 1st meeting with open arms!

The 1st meeting on July 14th has made news for another reason. Suresh Chanda, the Principal Secretary, Energy, then attended that meeting, handed over 65 MW to AP, flew back to Hyderabad. Next day, he was transferred out of the high profile Energy Department! It raised eyebrows and it is believed Mr Chanda paid for lack of tact. In a month’s time, Telangana’s share in power came down from 54% to 46%.  Telangana lost 1350 MW of power due to AP’s violations and in turn it gave an additional 65 MW before a committee that was to do justice to Telangana and give it the missing 1350 MW! This is only an example of the severe administrative challenges the Telangana Government is facing. The acting head of Energy department SK Joshi would attend the 30th meeting and we hope he comes back with some good news.