Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao has raised serious concerns over the proposed Telangana Rythu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TGRPDCL), alleging that it could undermine the state's agricultural power supply system and adversely affect major irrigation projects. Addressing a press conference in Siddipet, Harish accused the Congress government of attempting to dilute the 24-hour free power supply scheme introduced for farmers during the previous BRS administration. He claimed that a separate power distribution company for the agriculture sector would eventually lead to a reduction in electricity supply to farmers.
Impact on Irrigation Projects
The former irrigation minister argued that the government's decision could have far-reaching consequences for major lift irrigation schemes, including Kaleshwaram, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bheema, and Koilsagar projects, which depend heavily on uninterrupted electricity. Any disruption in power availability, he stated, could affect irrigation across vast stretches of farmland and impact water supply systems linked to these projects.
Questioning Government Claims
Harish Rao questioned the government's assertion that the new corporation would strengthen power delivery to the agriculture sector. Referring to documents submitted before the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC), he claimed that representatives associated with the Congress had earlier argued that a few hours of power supply would be sufficient for agricultural operations. He alleged that farmers were already not receiving the promised round-the-clock electricity supply. Based on his visits to substations in different areas, Harish claimed that several agricultural feeders were receiving significantly fewer hours of power than officially projected.
He also raised concerns over the energy sourcing model proposed for the corporation. Citing provisions in a recent government order (GO), he said the corporation was expected to rely substantially on renewable energy. Since solar and other renewable sources are available only during specific periods of the day, he questioned how uninterrupted power supply could be guaranteed to farmers and irrigation projects.
Operational and Infrastructure Challenges
Harish argued that separating agricultural consumers into a dedicated distribution company while other consumers continued under existing discoms could create operational and infrastructure challenges. In areas where residential and agricultural consumers are located close to one another, multiple networks may have to operate simultaneously, potentially increasing costs and complexity, he said.
Privatization Concerns
Harish further alleged that the move was part of a broader restructuring of the power sector that could eventually open the door for privatization. He claimed that similar models had emerged in other states and urged the Telangana government to clarify its long-term intentions.
He also sought to counter criticism from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy regarding borrowing by power utilities during the BRS regime. Harish maintained that the previous government's borrowings were spread over a decade, while alleging that the present administration had accumulated comparable levels of debt in a much shorter period.
Government's Stand
Meanwhile, the Congress government has maintained that the proposed RPDCL is aimed at improving power management and ensuring better service delivery to the agriculture sector.
