BRS opposes third DISCOM, seeks rejection of licence plea

HYDERABAD

Alleging that the proposed “Rythu DISCOM” could adversely affect agricultural power supply system and weaken the existing electricity distribution framework, BRS MLA and former Minister T. Harish Rao has urged the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) to reject the State government’s application seeking a distribution licence for the new entity.

He accused the government of taking decisions without adequate public consultation and warned that separating agricultural power supply under the proposed Rythu DISCOM could affect free electricity supply to farmers in future.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of TGERC, Mr. Harish Rao contended that farmers and electricity were inseparable in Telangana’s socio-political history and recalled that power sector reforms during the united Andhra Pradesh regime had triggered widespread protests, including the Basheerbagh firing incident. He also referred to the role played by BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in opposing power tariff hikes on farmers during the Telangana movement.

The BRS leader stated that after the formation of Telangana, the previous government had strengthened the power sector by allocating substantial funds and ensured uninterrupted free electricity supply to farmers from January 1, 2018. He claimed that the policy had contributed significantly to Telangana emerging as a leading State in paddy production.

Raising objections to the proposed third DISCOM, Mr. Harish Rao argued that bifurcation of the electricity distribution system could increase administrative expenditure, create complications in division of employees and assets, and further burden financially stressed DISCOMs. He said there was no clarity on issues such as power purchase agreements, allocation of liabilities and debt sharing.

He also alleged that the government had failed to comply with provisions under Section 17(2)(d) of the Electricity Act while processing the proposal. The letter further pointed to pending dues, including ₹22,926 crore from lift irrigation schemes, ₹7,084 crore from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) and ₹5,972 crore relating to Mission Bhagiratha scheme.