From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Thursday clarified that all electrical equipment required for Andhra Pradesh’s power sector is being procured exclusively through the state government’s e-Procurement portal and competitive bidding.
The minister said purchases above ₹5 crore are being made only with the prior approval of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). He underlined that quality standards are being strictly enforced, and that minor price differences among DISCOMs are largely due to transport and logistics costs.
Highlighting the government’s push for energy efficiency, Ravi Kumar announced that the state is adopting only 5-star rated transformers for agriculture, industry, and public supply. “Using low-rated transformers leads to higher power consumption and imposes an additional financial burden on DISCOMs,” he cautioned.
The minister also pointed to irregularities under the previous regime, stating that electrical equipment worth ₹220 crore purchased for “Jagan Colonies” remains unused. “We are now safeguarding this material and deploying it where necessary,” he added.