Harish questions new rythu discom, urges govt to withdraw order | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao opposed the Congress govt’s decision to establish a separate rythu discom, demanding that the state govt withdraw the order immediately and explain how the new arrangement would benefit farmers. Expressing concern that the new discom could be used to dilute govt’s commitment to providing free electricity to farmers, Harish demanded a clear, written assurance that 24-hour free power would continue without any reduction.Harish said the Congress govt had ignored objections raised by BRS, other political parties, electricity employees’ unions, power sector experts, social activists and farmers. He said govt should have addressed their concerns before issuing the order. He alleged that govt had allocated only 25% of the thermal power to the discom, which, he said, would be insufficient to ensure a reliable supply for agricultural needs and the operation of lift irrigation schemes.He questioned the purpose of creating a new discom when govt was already struggling to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers, households and industries. “Farmers are already suffering because of power cuts and burnt transformers. Instead of solving these problems, govt is creating another organisation. What benefit will farmers get from this decision?” he asked.“According to the figures mentioned in GO 17, around 30.63 lakh connections are proposed to be transferred to the new organisation. These include 30,60,861 agricultural connections, 512 lift irrigation schemes, and connections linked to HMWSSB and Mission Bhagiratha. How such a large network could be managed with just around 2,000 employees?” he asked.He also raised concerns about the maintenance of 6,15,651 agricultural transformers and 2.51 lakh circuit km of agricultural low-tension power lines. “Who would be held responsible if inadequate staffing affected maintenance and caused further problems for farmers?” he asked.