Hyderabad, Oct.21 (NSS): BRS party working president K.T. Rama Rao has raised concern over a proposed electricity tariff hike by the Congress government, which could impose a burden of Rs 18,500 crore on the public. KTR urged the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) to reject the proposals putforth by the State Congress government through the power distribution companies (Discoms).
KTR along with former minister and MLA Jagadish Reddy and other MLAs, party senior leaders met the ERC Commission today in Hyderabad and handed over a letter on behalf of BRS party. KTR expressed his apprehension about nine proposals made by the Discoms, which he believes would severely impact the financial well-being of the people. One key proposal suggests increasing fixed charges for households consuming more than 300 units per month, raising it from Rs 10 to Rs 50. KTR termed this proposal as “highly dangerous” and warned that it would push ordinary households into financial distress.
Further criticizing the proposals, KTR pointed out that grouping all industries under a single category for tariff purposes is an ill-conceived and unfair idea, which could harm the industrial sector. “Such a move is unprecedented in the State and poses a grave threat to the State’s progress,” KTR said, adding that Telangana’s industrial sector is already under strain. KTR highlighted that even Foxconn, a leading tech company, has not mentioned Telangana in its expansion plans, favouring other States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. He attributed this to the government’s misguided policies, noting that some industries have already shifted out of Telangana since this Congress administration took office. KTR also criticized the State government for its silence on the Central government’s proposal to install meters for agricultural pumps. “People are already frustrated with the unreliable power supply,” he said.
Referring to the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), KTR recalled that during KCR’s administration, similar proposals for tariff hikes were rejected. “When Discoms proposed a hike for a True-Up charge of Rs 1,200 crore, KCR ensured that the government absorbed the cost without burdening the public,” KTR said and emphasized that electricity is a basic necessity for the common man, not just a commodity. Under KCR’s leadership, the State provided free electricity to farmers and 24-hour power supply to households. Free power was also extended to barbers, washermen and Dalits. “When Telangana was formed, we had a power capacity of 7,000 MW. Today, we have increased it to 24,000 MW,” he added.
However, KTR warned that increasing electricity charges could halt the State’s progress. “We have given a 50% subsidy to the power loom industry in Sircilla and other industries in Kattedan. These new proposals would eliminate those subsidies,” he stated. KTR concluded by urging the ERC chairman not to approve the arbitrary hike in power tariffs. The ERC has scheduled a public hearing on October 23, where KTR’s team plans to present their arguments against the proposals. In preparation for the hearing, KTR is making the public aware of the implications of the proposed power hikes. “We will make our case strongly against the reckless decisions of the government at the public hearings on October 23,” KTR affirmed.
