Despite concerns from employees, government moves ahead with third DISCOM

The Telangana government has applied to the Electricity Regulatory Commission to establish a third DISCOM, TGRPDCL, aimed at providing quality power to farmers. Employee unions have opposed the move, urging compliance with regulations and reconsideration of the decision

Hyderabad: Turning a blind eye to appeals from employees to reconsider its decision to establish the third power distribution company (DISCOM), the State government is going ahead with its plans and has submitted an application to the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Thursday, seeking a licence to commence operations.

The new DISCOM has been named Telangana Rythu Power Distribution Company Limited (TGRPDCL). The process of establishing the TGRPDCL is progressing rapidly and an application was submitted to the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Ugadi, officials said.

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As per the orders issued by the State government on March 11, a senior IAS officer has been appointed as Chairman & Managing Director, while four directors from the existing DISCOMs have been appointed as directors. Further, the Governor, Special Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary (Energy), CMD of Telangana TRANSCO, CMD of the Rythu DISCOM, CMDs of Southern and Northern DISCOMs, and the Directors (Finance) of both DISCOMs have been designated as shareholders.

TGRPDCL Chairman & Managing Director Musharraf Faruqui stated that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) had accorded approval for the incorporation of TGRPDCL on March 18. The State government is establishing the new DISCOM with the objective of providing dedicated, reliable and quality power supply to farmers, he said.

He informed that, as part of preparatory arrangements, a total of 51 engineers and staff members have been deputed from the Southern and Northern DISCOMs to work at the corporate office.

However, on Monday, the Telangana State Power Employees Joint Action Committee (TGPEJAC) urged the Congress government to reconsider its plans of establishing the third DISCOM in the State. The TGPEJAC stressed that any reforms undertaken must be in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023, the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) guidelines and APTEL.

Furthermore, the TGPEJAC emphasised that reforms should be aimed at ensuring financial stability, improved services to consumers, and protecting employees’ interests.