Abolish adjustment charges, roll back smart meters: CPI(M) to Andhra Pradesh govt
The CPI(M) has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of imposing an additional burden of ₹21,885 crore on the power consumers over the past two years
The CPI(M) has accused the Andhra Pradesh government of imposing an additional burden of ₹21,885 crore on the power consumers over the past two years through various adjustment charges, despite claiming to have reduced power tariffs. Addressing the media on Thursday (July 9, 2026), CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao and State Committee member D. Kashinath described the government’s two-year report on the power sector as ‘misleading’. “While the government claimed to have reduced power 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 true-up charges for 2022-23, ₹9,412 crore for 2023-24, ₹1,400 crore relating to 2014-19 and nearly ₹5,000 crore through an additional 40 paise per unit levy, taking the total burden to ₹21,885 crore. Babu Rao alleged that the government’s decision to reduce adjustment charges by only 13 paise per unit from January 2026 was intended to create a false impression of tariff relief. The CPI(M) leader alleged that consumers were being burdened through additional load deposits, smart meters and other electricity-related charges.
It claimed the government had delayed payment of ₹13,054 crore in subsidies to distribution companies despite asserting that it had absorbed ₹20,000 crore in power sector costs. He criticised the government’s continuation of smart meter installation despite opposing the initiative before the elections. It questioned the coalition’s handling of the Adani-SECI solar power agreement, alleging that no inquiry had been ordered despite corruption allegations surrounding the project. Demanding a public debate, the CPI(M) leader urged the government to abolish adjustment charges, reduce tariffs by 52 paise per unit, halt smart meter installations and remove meters already installed.
The CPI(M) would continue Statewide protests against electricity charges and smart meters, he added.
The BriefWire