The central government gave a shocker to the government of Telangana by ordering the latter to pay a power supply bill of Rs 6,756.92 crore to the neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh within the next 30 days. The power ministry said that the orders followed the representations from AP over the dues owned by Telangana from 2014 to 2017.
According to the ministry, the bill is for the time period between June 2nd, 2014 to June 10th, 2017. It strictly ordered that the payment should be made within 30 days.
The power ministry of Telangana responded within hours after the orders were issued. Telangana Power Minister Jagadeesh Reddy stated that this is nothing but a vengeful act by the central government. He said that Andhra Pradesh owes Telangana a due of Rs. 12,900 crores as on December 31, 2021. Of this amount, Rs. 7,807 crore was the principal, and the balance of Rs. 5,134 crores was the interest charged at the rate of 10.5 per cent per annum, stated Jagadeesh Reddy. He stated that the centre never responded to the pleas made by Telangana regarding these dues.
