Harish Rao hits out at power hike

Metro India News | Hyderabad : Senior BRS leader and Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government over the proposed increase in electricity charges, alleging that an additional burden of Rs 5,420 crore was being imposed on consumers through true-up charges.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao targeted the state government for failing to manage the power sector, leaving citizens to contend with both escalating bills and frequent power outages during the festival season.

“During Dasara and Diwali, when the government ought to provide relief, it has chosen to hike electricity bills instead. Why should consumers pay ₹5,420 crore for the administration’s operational failures?” Harish Rao questioned, characterising the move as punitive rather than people-oriented.

Highlighting the BRS administration’s track record, Harish Rao noted that between 2014 and December 2023, Telangana’s installed power capacity expanded from 7,778 MW to nearly 19,450 MW.

He attributed this transformation—from a power-deficit state to providing 24-hour free power to farmers—to significant investments in thermal projects like Kothagudem, Bhadradri, Yadadri, and Bhupalapally, along with a massive surge in solar capacity and transmission infrastructure.

Harish Rao alleged that the Congress government has failed to add meaningful generation capacity and is instead purchasing expensive power from external sources to meet demand.

He warned that the BRS would launch a broad-based public agitation if the proposed electricity tariff hike was not withdrawn immediately.