PNS|Hyderabad
Minister Harish Rao has strongly criticised the Congress position on free electricity supply to farmers.
Addressing a press conference at the BRS office here on Friday he said the Congress must come forward to make the forthcoming Assembly polls a referendum on the power issue.
He accused Congress leaders of neglecting the pressing issue of farmers’ electricity needs and of propagating the misleading claim that a mere three hours of electricity is enough for farmers.
Highlighting governance under Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, he emphasised that Telangana is the only state in the country that provides free, high-quality electricity to farmers.
He said that during Congress tenure farmers were given just four to five hours of electricity supply.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao aims to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for three crop cycles, thereby significantly enhancing agricultural productivity, he said.
Harish drew attention to the unfortunate reality that both Congress and BJP-ruled states lack round-the-clock electricity supply, despite growing demands for that, particularly in states governed by the Congress.
He reminded the public of the failed promises of the Congress to deliver free quality electricity.
Harish also criticised Congress leader Adnaki Dayakar’s proposal to fit metres on borewells, citing opposition from Sonia Gandhi herself who seems to be against the idea of free electricity. He applauded Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s stance not to burden farmers by installing metres on their motors.
Harish said that during K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s tenure as Deputy Speaker in the TDP government he had asked Chandrababu Naidu to reduce electricity charges for farmers.
After the unfortunate incident in which protesting farmers were shot during Naidu’s rule, KCR resigned his post and subsequently founded the TRS to fight for a separate Telangana state to address the grievances of farmers, he added.
Pointing out the loss of Rs 35,000 crore due to the absence of borewell meters, Harish underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the interests of the state’s 65 lakh farmers instead of being swayed by financial implications.
Harish condemned the threats made against Dasoju Shravan, a BRS leader, who had voiced concerns about Congress policies and called for constructive political debates instead of intimidation.
Harish demanded an apology from the Congress for propagating false information on the electricity supply issue.
He reiterated Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s unwavering commitment to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers and highlighted the government’s substantial investment of Rs 37,000 crore to strengthen the rural electricity infrastructure.
