Telangana MLAs raise concerns over power supply issues affecting farmers

Congress and BJP MLAs in the Telangana Assembly raised concerns over power supply issues affecting farmers. They cited outages, low power generation and non-functioning agriculture pumps, while seeking immediate measures. CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao suggested exploring thermal power projects.

Hyderabad: In contrast to the Congress government’s claims of uninterrupted power supply in the State, a few ruling party and BJP MLAs raised concerns over the hardships being faced by farmers due to power outages. Congress MLA from Nagarkurnool K Rajesh Reddy said farmers in his constituency had been facing several hardships due to insufficient power supply for the past few days. “I appeal to the Minister to address the issue at the earliest,” he said during Zero Hour in the Assembly on Friday.

Congress MLA from Narayankhed Sanjeeva Reddy admitted that power generation in the State was low and, accordingly, there was a severe power supply issue.

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“Already, protests are being staged at several places. The issue has turned into a weapon for the opposition,” he said, charging that officials at the ground level were not performing their duties properly.

BJP Floor Leader Aleti Maheswar Reddy charged that power issues were plaguing the State, particularly his region, Nirmal. Power was hardly being supplied for five to six hours a day, and the Deputy Chief Minister should review the situation, he stated.

“As it is, farmers are troubled due to the El Nino impact. This apart, insufficient power supply and agriculture pumps not functioning are adding to their problems. Measures should be taken to avoid this,” he demanded.

Congress ally and CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao said a new trend of opposing thermal power stations had emerged of late, citing pollution and losses. The government was dependent on hydel projects and, due to deficit rainfall this season, there was not much power generation through hydel projects, he said.

The government was compelled to purchase power and was struggling to ensure sufficient power supply. The government should not confine itself to solar and hydel projects and should explore thermal power projects, he suggested.