Overview The CPI(M) has voiced strong criticism against the NDA government , accusing it of engaging in "misleading propaganda" concerning power tariffs. The party alleges that the government is falsely portraying a reduction in power tariffs while continuing to impose substantial adjustment charges on consumers. Key Developments CPI(M)'s Allegations False Projections: The CPI(M) claims the government is misrepresenting the actual impact of power tariffs on consumers. True-up Charges: Power distribution companies proposed ₹12,771 crore as true-up charges to the APERC between 2019 and 2024 . Regulatory Rejection: The APERC rejected ₹8,274 crore (approximately 64% ) of the proposed true-up charges due to incorrect calculations. Allowed Recovery: The ERC allowed recovery of ₹497 crore , which the government claimed it would bear, but CPI(M) alleges consumers are still affected. Additional Financial Burden Electricity-related Burden: The government has allegedly imposed nearly ₹24,000 crore in electricity-related burdens over the past 18 months . FPPCA Charges: Additional fuel and power purchase cost adjustment ( FPPCA ) charges worth ₹15,485 crore were ordered for 2022–23 and 2023–24 . Consumer Impact: Consumers are paying an extra 40 paise per unit every month due to FPPCA. Demands and Stance Withdrawal Demands: The CPI(M) demands the immediate withdrawal of adjustment charges, suspension of prepaid smart meters, and rollback of enhanced electricity duty. Corruption Allegations: Accusations of shielding corruption in the power sector, similar to the previous YSRCP regime. Open Debate: The party is ready for an open debate on power tariff issues and pledges to stand by consumers. UPSC Relevance This news highlights critical issues related to energy economics, government policies, and regulatory oversight, making it relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam . Specifically, it touches upon: GS2: Government Policies and Governance: The role of regulatory bodies like APERC and government policies related to power tariffs. GS3: Economy and Infrastructure: Issues related to energy pricing, cost adjustments, and the financial health of power distribution companies. Key Terms for UPSC APERC: Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission. FPPCA: Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment. True-up Charges: Additional charges to reconcile revenue with actual costs.