Andhra Pradesh Government forms Integrated Energy Enterprise ‘Vidyut Viniyogadarula Aikyavedi’

The Vidyut Viniyogadarula Aikyavedi, a group advocating for public interest, has demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government cancel its contract with the Adani Group to install smart power meters in homes and businesses across the state. The group’s convenor, MV Anjaneyulu, criticized the Centre’s directive to replace conventional postpaid meters with smart ones by March 31, 2025, arguing that it would increase tariffs through a Time of Day system and lead to power cuts if consumers fail to recharge on time. Anjaneyulu also raised concerns over reduced transparency in billing and the potential for private entities like Adani Group to benefit at the expense of public interest. The group accused the government of using the Design-Build-Finance-Own-Operate-Transfer model to privatize state Discoms, claiming it would lead to a loss of public control and oversight.