Harish Rao alleges undeclared power cuts for farmers, targets Congress government

BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao accused the Telangana government of imposing undeclared power cuts on farmers in Yadadri-Bhongir. He also raised 22-A land issues and alleged that the Congress was diverting attention from unfulfilled election promises

Bhongir: BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao on Sunday accused the Congress government of imposing undeclared power cuts on farmers and diverting attention from its poll promises by targeting the Opposition.

During a visit to the Motakondur sub-station in Yadadri-Bhongir district, Harish Rao alleged that officials had removed the sub-station’s log book ahead of his visit to prevent the actual duration of power supply from coming to light. The log book records the timings of power supply, tripping and three-phase supply to agricultural connections, he said.

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“If the Congress government is really supplying 24-hour power, why is it afraid of showing the log book?” he asked, demanding that local MLA Beerla Ilaiah and Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy visit sub-stations and explain the power situation to farmers.

Harish Rao claimed that farmers in Motakondur and surrounding areas were receiving only six to seven hours of power, with repeated interruptions and low voltage affecting irrigation. He alleged that supply was being provided mainly during the day and was inadequate to cover all fields.

The BRS leader rejected the government’s attribution of water and power shortages to El Nino, saying the situation was the result of administrative failures. He alleged that several irrigation pumps were not being operated despite water being available in the Krishna river.

He also pointed out that around 3,500 MW of generation capacity at the Yadadri, Bhadradri and Kothagudem power plants had been shut down on the pretext of a coal shortage.

Harish Rao also attacked the government over the 22-A prohibited lands issue. He said farmers and poor people in Motakondur, Alair and Bhongir had seen their properties included in the prohibited list, affecting their asset values.

Responding to allegations concerning properties linked to the BRS leadership, he said his family’s assets had been disclosed in election affidavits and income-tax returns. He also alleged that properties of some Congress leaders and their associates were located in Full Tank Level areas and demanded action against all such structures.

The former minister accused the Congress government of diverting attention from the implementation of its six guarantees and other election promises. He cited the promised Rs 4,000 pension for elderly people, Rs 2,500 assistance for women and other assurances as issues that needed to be addressed.

He alleged that the government had failed to meet its promises on farmer support, jobs and welfare schemes. He said farmers were facing difficulties over fertiliser availability and irrigation.

Harish Rao said the BRS would intensify its agitation until farmers received reliable power supply and the government implemented its election promises. He also said the party would continue to raise issues concerning farmers and other sections of society.

Later in the day, a large number of Congress leaders led by senior leaders S Mallesh Yadav and Venu, along with their followers, joined the BRS. Harish Rao formally inducted them into the party by draping them with the pink scarf.