Abolish balancing charges, roll back smart meters: CPI(M) to Andhra Pradesh government

Biennial government report on power sector is misleading, says CPI(M) State Committee member Ch. Babu Rao. | Photo credit: File Photo

The CPI(M) has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of imposing an additional burden of ₹21,885 crore on power consumers over the past two years through various balancing charges, despite claiming to have reduced electricity tariffs.

Addressing the media on Thursday (July 9, 2026), CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao and State Committee member D. Kashinath termed the government’s biennial report on the power sector as “misleading”.

“While the government claimed to have reduced electricity tariffs by 52 paise per unit, consumers continued to pay adjustment charges ranging from ₹ 62 paise to ₹ 1.88 per unit every month,” Mr Babu Rao said.

According to him, consumers paid ₹6,072 crore as rectification charges for 2022-23, ₹9,412 crore for 2023-24, ₹1,400 crore for 2014-19 and nearly ₹5,000 crore to pay an additional tax of ₹4,21,885 crore on each unit.

Mr. Babu Rao alleged that the government’s decision to reduce the countervailing duty by only 13 paise per unit from January 2026 was meant to create a false impression of tariff concessions.

The CPI(M) leader alleged that consumers were burdened with additional deposits, smart meters and other charges related to electricity. It alleged that the government delayed payment of ₹13,054 crore in subsidy to distribution companies, despite claiming to have absorbed ₹20,000 crore in power sector costs.

He criticized the government’s continuation of installing smart meters despite opposing the initiative before the election. She questioned the coalition’s handling of the Adani-SECI solar deal, claiming no investigation had been ordered despite allegations of corruption surrounding the project.

Demanding a public debate, the CPI(M) leader urged the government to scrap customization charges, reduce tariffs by 52 paise per unit, stop installation of smart meters and remove already installed meters. The CPI(M) will continue statewide protests against electricity charges and smart meters, he added.

Published – 10 July 2026 12:45 PM IST