Farmers vent out about burnt-out transformers, delay in replacing them, frequent disruptions in power supply, low voltage, corruption
Hyderabad: A day after some MLAs complained about power supply issues in the Assembly, farmers listed out a plethora of problems at the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission’s public hearing on Friday.
Right from burnt-out transformers, delay in replacing them or arranging for new ones, frequent disruptions in power supply, problem of low voltage and rampant corruption in TGSPDCL, farmers vented their ire at the apathy of officials in coming to their rescue.
The irate farmers hailing from different areas, who gathered in good numbers at the public hearing, called out the tall claims made by the Energy Department over 24-hour power supply. Due to the frequent disruptions and low voltage, electric motors were getting burnt out, leading to a financial burden on them, they rued.
Bharatiya Kisan Sangh representatives, farmers and a few consumers complained that at the village-level, the power staff were demanding bribes for even petty works. The public hearing was conducted under the chairmanship of Justice Devaraju Nagarjun on filings of Revised Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR), Filing of proposed Tariff and CSS proposals for 2025-26 financial year at ERC Bhavan.
The farmers pointed out that in case of any glitches in the transformers installed in the fields, the staff was asking them to bring the defunct transformers to the repair sheds. Apart from inconvenience, the transportation cost was also being rubbed on the hapless farmers, they complained. At times, a few farmers even suffered injuries and lost their lives, farmers from Nagarkurnool complained to the ERC Chairman.
The repeated pleas to relocate the transformers from fields to roadsides were falling on deaf ears. The farming community was facing many difficulties due to the negligence of linemen at the field level. A few of them drew the attention of the commission to the penalties being imposed on them despite the delay in providing meters.
Farmers from Mushtipally in Rangareddy complained that the power lines were getting damaged even with a gentle breeze. As a result, motors were getting burnt due to short circuits. It means additional expenditure on us, they complained. A few had even charged that the staff was threatening to disconnect the power supply if the farmers lodged a complaint with higher authorities against them.
A resident of Kosgi mandal from Narayanpet, Saritha said her husband Sanjeeva Reddy lost his life in a power hazard. So far, the ex gratia was not extended, she said to the Chairman. Irked by the official apathy, the ERC Chairman ordered the officials to release the ex gratia to Saritha. Accordingly, a cheque for Rs 5 lakh was handed over to her by the Chairman.
ERC Chairman Justice Devaraju Nagarjun directed the officials to address the farmers’ issues at the earliest. If their issues were addressed at the village-level, there was no need to conduct special meetings, he said. create awareness among farmers and consumers over the services being offered by discoms. Efforts should be made to enlighten people on CGRFs that are aimed at addressing consumers’ issues, he said.
Farmers Speak
Even months after the payment of deposit money was paid through a DD for installation of transformer, there was inordinate delay. This was against officials’ assurance that within two months after DD was paid, the transformer would be installed. After approaching linemen and AE, there was no respite. Leaving my cattle in the dried up crops, I came here to lodge a complaint
— Kishtaiah, Shabad mandal
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In the past, there was good power supply but for the last few months, there have bee frequent disruptions. We are clueless about power cuts. When linemen or officials are questioned, they threaten us with disconnections
— Shaik Basha, Rangareddy
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In 2022, former ERC Chairman Sriranga Rao had sanctioned a budget for the replacement of old poles and lines, but the Medak officials did not take up the works. Despite paying DDs, transformers were not being provided. There are severe power cuts and I request officials to ensure 24-hour supply for the next one month so that we can save our crops
— Anil Kumar, Medak
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We are vexed with the delay in distribution transformers. When we try to approach the AE, lower-rank officials do not permit and our complaint lands in the dustbin. Transportation cost, which has to be borne by the discom, is also being imposed on farmers
— Tirupati Reddy, Mustyalapally
