A.P. aqua farmers get power at ₹1.50 a unit, 10-acre cap lifted
Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Energy and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu on Tuesday released G.O. No. 57 at Palakollu in West Godavari district
Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu and Energy and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu on Tuesday released G.O. No. 57 at Palakollu in West Godavari district, providing power to aquaculture ponds across Andhra Pradesh at ₹1.50 per unit, irrespective of their location in aqua zones. The order, released in the presence of aqua farmers, also removes the 10-acre cap for availing the power subsidy. Aqua farmers from across the State attended the meeting and thanked the government for extending the subsidy.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Atchannaidu said the State government had constituted a committee comprising farmers and representatives of the aquaculture sector to monitor aqua feed prices and prevent monopolistic practices in fixing them. “Aqua feed companies can no longer increase prices at will. The committee’s consent will be mandatory for any increase in aqua feed prices,” he said. Atchannaidu said the NDA government had spent ₹1,150 crore on power subsidy for the aquaculture sector since 2024, compared with ₹724 crore spent by the YSR Congress Party government during its five-year term.
Despite challenges, including difficulties in exports, rising feed prices and a decline in global prices of aquaculture products, the alliance government had succeeded in achieving a 16% growth rate in the sector, he said. Referring to the Aquaculture University of Andhra Pradesh at Palakollu, Mr. Atchannaidu said the government would soon release ₹27 crore to speed up construction and other works on the university campus.
Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Deputy Speaker R. Raghu Rama Krishnam Raju and West Godavari Collector Chadalavada Nagarani also spoke on the occasion.
The BriefWire