CM asks for state control on gas firms

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Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday said that the Centre and states should strictly monitor private sector companies involved in gas production without which “it would not be possible to overcome the power crisis”.

Speaking in the backdrop of a crippling power shortage, Mr Reddy said, “I am ready to give power supply without interruption for a single minute. But we need control over the private gas industry. Though we have a huge quantum of gas, we are just getting 38 per cent of it. I will show what I can do. Let gas be supplied to us as per requirement.”

“If we can get 75 to 85 per cent of the gas, we can give uninterrupted power to industries, farmers and domestic consumers,” he added. He was speaking at the inauguration of a private food processing unit near Chittoor, in the presence of agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.

Will take up suggestion on control on gas: Pawar
Speaking on the need for state control over the private gas-producing industry, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said that of the 9,500 MW of power generated in the state, 2,700 MW came from gas-based power plants. Mr Reddy asked Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, who was present at the inauguration of Srini Food Park at Mogili, 50 km from Chittoor, to look into the aspect of enhancing gas supply and for control over the private gas sector.

Expressing concern over the prevailing drought-like situation in the state, the Chief Minister said that a pilot project to conserve rain water was underway in Chittoor district and it would be extended to six more districts in the first leg. “For interest-free crop loans under Kharif, the target has been fixed at Rs 42,000 crore covering 95 lakh farmers in the state,” he said.

Later, Mr Pawar, who inaugurated the food park, assured Mr Reddy that he would take up the issue of governmental control over gas producing private industries, apart from enhancing AP’s gas share, with the new central finance panel that is in place after Mr Pranab Mukherjee resigned. He said that India stood second in the world in the area of food processing. “Our country also bagged second slot in the world in dairy, fruit and vegetable production.” Mr Pawar added that more food parks would be developed in the country as only 7 per cent of the potential was being tapped.