Date:02/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/02/stories/2006110201842300.htm

Back Efforts on to improve power generation: CM

Our Bureau

TRS protest mars State Formation Day fete

Setting up of the Kakatiya power plant and enhancing capacities of Rayalaseema and Vijayawada plants are steps to improve the situation.

Hyderabad , Nov. 1

Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, has announced that his Government would focus on the three important areas of agriculture, power and industry.

Addressing a gathering to mark the Golden Jubilee of the State's formation here on Wednesday, he said the Government was making sustained efforts to improve power generation.

Referring to the power crisis, he said the severe shortage in the kharif season forced the State to buy power from other States. While stating that the situation might continue for some more time, he said the Government had started measures to shore up generation by setting up Kakatiya power plant and enhancing capacities of Rayalaseema and Vijayawada plants.

Protests

Perhaps for the first time, the Formation Day celebrations were marred by protests across the Telangana region. Protesting against the Formation Day, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) called for a bandh asking the people to boycott the celebrations.

The bandh came ahead of the by-election to the Karimngar Lok Sabha constituency following the resignation of Mr K. Chandrasekhara Rao, President of TRS.

Addressing a press conference in the evening, he claimed that the bandh was total. "This reflects the aspirations of the people in the region for a separate statehood," he said.

However, officials said the response to the bandh call was partial.