Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, a Punganur MLA from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), has leveled serious accusations against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Reddy claims that Naidu is deliberately misrepresenting the truth regarding electricity charges and a recently announced ‘true-down’ refund by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC).
In an official statement released on Tuesday, Mr. Ramachandra Reddy highlighted that between 2024 and 2025, the three state power distribution companies, known as Discoms, collectively amassed a staggering ₹2,787.18 crore from consumers. This substantial amount was collected through the Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA), a charge of 40 paise per unit applied monthly to electricity bills.
According to Reddy, the APERC reviewed various petitions filed by the Discoms and, on September 27, ultimately mandated a refund of ₹923.55 crore to consumers. This refund is slated to be distributed in 12 equal monthly installments, commencing in November, at a rate of 13 paise per unit.
However, Reddy criticized this refund, pointing out that it represents less than a third of the total amount initially collected. He further accused Chief Minister Naidu and what he termed the ‘yellow media’ of deceptively presenting this partial refund as a benevolent act of goodwill from the government.
Reddy emphatically stated that over the past 15 months, consumers have been unjustly burdened with an astronomical ₹18,272 crore in extra electricity charges. He emphasized that even with the APERC’s refund order, households across the state are still facing a financial strain of approximately ₹17,348 crore, all while the government persists in collecting the 40 paise per unit surcharge each month.
To underscore his claims, Reddy referenced findings from the APERC itself, which revealed that the Discoms had acquired power at rates exceeding those officially approved, thereby imposing an undue financial burden directly onto the shoulders of the consumers.