The Telangana government's decision to create a third power distribution company (discom) exclusively for farmers was taken in July 2025 itself and not in a hurried manner, according to Musharraf Faruqui, chairman and managing director of Telangana Rythu Power Distribution Company Limited (TGRPDCL). Addressing a public hearing at the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) on Friday, Faruqui provided a detailed presentation on the rationale behind the new entity.
Addressing High Losses and Inefficiency
Faruqui explained that the existing two discoms—Southern and Northern—have been recording high losses, particularly Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, which stand at 19.8%, one of the highest in the country. The new discom is aimed at increasing operational efficiency by focusing solely on agricultural consumers, lift irrigation schemes, and water supply schemes, which will come under its purview.
Since their formation, the Southern and Northern discoms have faced financial difficulties and sub-optimal operational efficiency. The creation of TGRPDCL is expected to alleviate these issues by providing dedicated resources for the agricultural sector.
Challenges Faced by Farmers
Currently, farmers are grappling with multiple problems, including aged conductors and poles, increased risk of electrical accidents, distribution transformer failures at a rate of 8.3%, delays in repairs, and voltage issues. These problems lead to pump failures and additional costs for repair and replacement. Under the new discom, Faruqui assured that there would be dedicated manpower to serve agricultural consumers, which will improve grievance redressal, electricity supply quality, and safety.
The public hearing was part of the regulatory process to approve the creation of TGRPDCL, which is expected to streamline power distribution in the state and reduce the burden on the existing discoms.
