Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao asked energy officials to take immediate steps to ensure seven-hour power supply to the farming sector.
Reacting to the farmers’ blockade of on National Highway No. 44 near Narsingi in Medak district over erratic power supply, the Chief Minister held discussions with agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and other senior officials and asked them to take immediate measures to save the crops and also pacify farmers.
In another development, the Chief Minister plans to meet Chhattisgarh power officials this weekend to ensure early supply of power to the state.
Telangana state intends to purchase 1,000 MW of power immediately besides long-term deal for regular purchase of power till it is self sufficient.
“Farmers should understand the ongoing power crisis and not play into the hands of the Opposition parties. Our Chief Minister is doing his best to ensure seven-hour power supply to the farming sector. There was erratic power supply since some thermal power stations in Andhra Pradesh have been shut down for regular maintenance, but power supply will be restored to normalcy in a day or two", said Mr Pocharam Srinivas Reddy.
Asking police to observe restraint, he said barring erratic power supply there was no shortage of agriculture inputs in any part of Telangana. “We have sufficient quantity of seeds, fertilisers and other agriculture inputs across Telangana. There is no problem on this front," he added.
Angry farmers blocked the highway and pelted stones on police personnel who resorted to lathi charge.
Farmers have been agitating for uninterrupted power supply since kharif operations are in full swing and lack of power full swing and lack of power hindered water supply through borewells resulted in withering of crops.
Protestors damaged eight buses and a police van and the agitation resulted in huge traffic jam on the national highway, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on either side. Police had a tough time cajoling farmers to clear the path.
