Harish Demands Withdrawal Of ‘Rythu Discom’
This decision would prove to be a curse for the farming community: BRS leader T. Harish Rao
HYDERABAD: BRS leader T. Harish Rao demanded the state government immediately withdraw the ‘Rythu Power-Discom’ (TGRPDCL) proposal. He warned that if the government fails to ensure 24-hour free power supply to farmers, BRS would launch a massive movement to protect Telangana’s electricity sector and farmers’ interests.
Addressing the media in Siddipet, the former minister alleged that this decision would prove to be a curse for the farming community and expressed concern that the establishment of the new discom could lead to power cuts.
He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s claim that RP-Discom was being created to provide 24-hour free electricity to farmers was completely false. “Instead of ensuring free power, RP-Discom will become a noose around the neck of Telangana’s agriculture sector,” he said.
He stated that during the public hearing before the ERC, the Congress officially conveyed through farmers’ commission chairman M. Kodanda Reddy that three hours of electricity was sufficient for farmers. He reminded that Revanth Reddy had also made similar remarks in the past. “I challenge Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to take an oath that he will seek votes only if he provides 24-hour free electricity to farmers,” Harish Rao said.
Harish Rao alleged that farmers in Telangana were currently not receiving more than 13 hours of power supply and said the Congress government was preparing to reduce agricultural power supply to 8-9 hours, similar to Gujarat and Karnataka.
Referring to G.O. No. 8 issued by the government, Harish Rao said it clearly mentions allocating a higher share of renewable energy to TGRPDCL. “Solar power starts around 7 am and ends by 5 pm. How can the government claim to provide 24-hour electricity to farmers by depending on daytime solar power alone, while ignoring thermal and hydel power?” he questioned.