Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao opposed the proposed power tariff hike and demanded its immediate withdrawal. He warned that the BRS would launch a statewide public agitation if the government went ahead with the increase.
Harish Rao, the BRS Deputy Floor Leader, alleged that consumers would face an additional burden of ₹5,420 crore through true-up charges. He blamed the Congress government for its management of the power sector.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Tuesday, Harish Rao said consumers were already facing frequent power outages. He alleged that the government was now seeking higher electricity charges during the festival season.
“During Dasara and Diwali, when the government ought to provide relief, it has chosen to hike electricity bills instead,” he said. “Why should consumers pay ₹5,420 crore for the administration’s operational failures?”
Harish Rao described the proposed increase as punitive rather than people-oriented. He said the government should provide relief to consumers instead of increasing their electricity expenses.
Proposed power tariff hike draws BRS criticism
Harish Rao also cited the previous BRS government’s record in expanding Telangana’s electricity generation capacity. He said installed power capacity had risen significantly during the BRS administration.
According to him, Telangana’s installed capacity increased from 7,778 MW in 2014 to nearly 19,450 MW by December 2023. He said the expansion helped transform Telangana from a power-deficit state.
Harish Rao attributed the increase to investments in thermal power projects and renewable energy. He specifically referred to projects at Kothagudem, Bhadradri, Yadadri and Bhupalapally.
In addition, he said the previous government had substantially expanded solar power capacity and strengthened transmission infrastructure. He linked those investments to the provision of round-the-clock free electricity to farmers.
However, Harish Rao alleged that the Congress government had failed to add meaningful electricity generation capacity after taking office. He accused the government of relying instead on costly power purchases from external sources to meet demand.
He argued that consumers should not bear the financial consequences of what he described as operational failures. Therefore, he demanded that the proposed power tariff hike be withdrawn immediately.
Harish Rao said the BRS would oppose the increase if the government proceeded with the proposal. He warned that the party would organise a broad-based public agitation against the higher electricity charges.