Hyderabad: BRS leader and former minister Harish Rao opposed the Telangana government’s proposal for a third power discom and urged the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission to reject the application.
In a letter submitted to the TGERC on Wednesday, Harish Rao objected to the proposed “Rythu Discom” and raised concerns over its financial and administrative impact.
The former minister said electricity remained one of the key issues behind the Telangana movement along with water, funds and jobs.
Harish Rao recalled that power sector reforms during the united Andhra Pradesh period triggered the Basheerbagh firing incident. He also said K. Chandrasekhar Rao launched the second phase of the Telangana movement after resigning as Deputy Speaker in protest against electricity policies affecting farmers.
Third power discom proposal raises concerns
Harish Rao stated that the previous BRS government strengthened the power sector after Telangana formation through major investments.
According to him, Telangana became the first state to provide uninterrupted free electricity to farmers from January 1, 2018. He claimed the initiative helped the state emerge as a leading paddy producer.
However, the BRS leader alleged that the Congress government pushed the power sector into uncertainty through unplanned decisions.
Harish Rao said the proposed third power discom created fear and confusion among farmers and electricity consumers. He also alleged that the government was indirectly moving towards privatisation through impractical policies.
The former minister questioned why the government announced June 2 as the operational date for the Rythu Discom before completion of the public hearing process.
He further alleged that the government was exerting pressure on the regulatory commission to approve the licence.
According to Harish Rao, neither farmers nor power utilities demanded a separate farmers’ discom. He also stated that no cabinet sub-committee recommended such a proposal.
Third power discom issue heads for public debate
Harish Rao said GO No. 44 itself acknowledged financial stress in existing discoms because of the gap between billing rates and service costs.
He questioned whether the government was indirectly admitting failure in the current electricity supply system through the proposal.
The BRS leader criticised the government for not holding extensive public consultations or Assembly discussions on the issue.
He urged the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission to conduct public hearings in all districts instead of limiting consultations to Hyderabad alone.