HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said the electricity demand is expected rise from next year onwards and asked for speeding up of the construction of power plants. Mr Rao said the government was preparing to provide 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to all sectors. Mr Rao handed over a cheque of Rs 417.16 crore to BHEL chairman and managing director Atul Sobti on Friday as the first instalment for the construction of 4,000 MW Yadadri ultra mega power plant costing Rs 20,370 crore. He asked BHEL to complete the construction in three years and asked for transparency.

Mr Rao said the power plant had secured all clearances and land had been acquired. He directed the energy department to take steps are necessary to ensure that the project is completed within schedule. Mr Rao said the state government has decided to give 24-hour free power supply to farmers from March. There were many new industries on the anvil apart from lift irrigation schemes.

Power consumption was therefore likely to jump several notches anc dould touch 3,500 MW, the Chief Minister said. Mr Rao held discussions with the energy department officials about the under-construction plants at Kothagudem and Manuguru. TS Genco chairman and managing director D. Prabhakar Rao said construction of the 800 MW Kothagudem power plant would be completed within two to three months and the Manuguru plant next year.

Six power bosses to complete their tenure by month-end

As many as six directors of TS Transco, Genco and the two discoms, including southern discom chairman and managing director G. Raghuma Reddy will be completing their tenure on November 26. There is speculation over whether or not Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will give these high-ranking officers an extension. Others who will be retiring on the same date are TS Transco director (projects & grid operations) G. Na-rasinga Rao and director (transmission) T. Jagath Reddy, southern discom director (operations) J. Srinivas Reddy, northern discom director (operations) and B. Narsing Rao. TS Genco director (HR) S. Ashock Kumar will complete his term on November 27.

The senior post of HR director at northern discom has been vacant for over a year. In addition to this, the post of director (technical) in the TS Electricity Regu-latory Commission is also vacant. Of the directors who are completing their term, Mr Srinivas Reddy is confident of getting an extension. A few days back, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao had praised the services of Mr Srinivas Reddy at a public meeting held at Siddipet and had invited him over to the dais.

But the vacancy that is perhaps the most coveted is that of the southern discom.
Discoms are getting importance due to the state government's decision to supply 24x7 free power to farmers. There are several ongoing lift irrigation projects along with the construction of new power plants. It is not clear whether Mr Rao will allow Mr Raghuma Reddy to continue as CMD of southern discom or select another officer.