BRS opposes Rs 18,000 crore burden on power consumers, appeals for rejection of tariff hike proposals

At the ERC public hearing held at the Co-operative Electric Supply Society (CESS) in Sircilla on Friday, Rama Rao called the proposals unreasonable. He emphasized that electricity should be seen not just as a commodity but as a critical force for the State’s economic growth and social welfare. Criticizing the proposed increase in fixed charges from Rs 10 to Rs 50 per MW for households using over 300 units, he highlighted the burden it would place on families.

Hyderabad: Opposing the proposed hike in electricity tariff and other charges, BRS working president KT Rama Rao appealed to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) to reject the nine contentious proposals from power distribution companies (discoms) which could impose an undue burden of Rs 18,000 crore on the public. He insisted that the discoms’ proposals did not reflect the State’s realities, warning of severe consequences for industrial and agricultural sectors.

Participating in the public hearing held by the ERC at the Co-operative Electric Supply Society (CESS)-Sircilla on Friday, Rama Rao termed the proposals as unreasonable. He stressed that electricity should not be treated as a mere commodity but as a key driver of the State’s economic growth and social welfare. He found fault with the proposed hike in fixed charges from Rs 10 to Rs 50 per MW for households consuming over 300 units, citing the toll it would take on families.

“In Sircilla constituency alone, around 75,000 Of about 1.2 lakh connections consume more than 300 units during the summer. This explains the impact of the hike in fixed charges on domestic consumers,” he said, also objecting to the proposals to increase power charges by Rs 1,200 crore for the current financial year.

The BRS working president stated that fair power distribution had helped industries thrive, urging the ERC to reject proposals that threaten cottage industries, power looms and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). He highlighted that DISCOM proposals to categorize 11KV, 33KV, and 220KV users under a single tariff would disproportionately impact smaller industries, pushing them toward closure.

“How is it fair to collect same charges from both powerloom weavers and corporate giants like Adani?” he asked.

Stating that the previous BRS government provided 50 per cent subsidy on power charges for powerloooms with 10 HP motors, Rama Rao not only wanted the government to continue the subsidy, but also extend it upto 30 HP motors. He pointed out that due to inefficient decisions of the State government, several companies were leaving Telangana and expressed apprehensions that the power tariff hike might deter those planning to invest in the State.

The Sircilla legislator said when Telangana was formed, the State grappled with severe power shortages, affecting both industry and agriculture, especially in regions like Sircilla where power cuts crippled the loom industry. He noted that the BRS government, under former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, overcame these challenges, providing uninterrupted power supply to farmers, free water, and significant subsidies without passing burden to consumers for about a decade.

“It is alarming that only ten months into the Congress’s rule, we are seeing not only power cuts but efforts to increase charges,” he remarked.

To address future challenges, Rama Rao proposed government-backed subsidies and a green channel for financing to support CESS-Sircilla, known for its efficiency in the sector. He further stressed that raising agricultural electricity limits from 5 HP to 7.5HP with continued subsidies is essential for sustainable agriculture. He urged the ERC to safeguard the interests of the people and reject the proposed tariff hikes.