Telangana White Paper on Power: Revanth Reddy plans judicial probe BRS-led power projects

Hyderabad: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced the intention of the Congress government to order a judicial probe into the two power projects in the state and the power deal with Chhattisgarh set into motion by the BRS government when they were in power in Telangana.

Revanth Reddy alleged large-scale corruption in the construction of the two power plants in Bhadradri and Yadadri.

In the White Paper tabled in the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the financial status in the power sector depicted an alarming situation. The total debt in the power sector is Rs 81,516 crores as of October 31, 2023.

Districts with major outstanding bills

The outstanding bills of power sector are highest in Siddipet, Gajwel and Hyderabad South: Siddipet, the district of former finance minister Harish Rao, has arrears of 61.7 per cent; Gajwel of former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao has arrears of 50.29 per cent and Hyderabad South of Akbaruddin Owaisi has dues of 43 per cent.

CM Revanth Reddy asked all three BRS leaders to take responsibility for ensuring all dues are paid to the government.

The dues of Siddipet and Gajwel are due to the lift irrigation project process, stated senior officials and Hyderabad is due to 30 per cent theft.

24-hour electricity

The debate on 24-hour electricity was refuted by deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka who stated that the House has been misled from time to time by the previous government.

Jagdish Reddy who was the former BRS minister for energy and power said that their government increased the installation capacity of power and created a lot of assets. Jagdish Reddy said, “The BRS government provided free power to the farmers on an average of 19 hours a day as against Congress party’s allegations of 8 to 10 hours.”

BRS leaders were upset that they were being wrongly blamed while they had ensured that the power sector grew in the state during their regime.

Farmers’ protest

The farmers protested on September 1 in the Ramareddy district of Kamareddy and laid siege on the electricity substation. Farmers also protested for 24-hour power supply in Suryapet and Nuthana districts. Revanth Reddy said, “These recent protests were held in the BRS regime. The talk of 24-hour power supply is not true as there are farmers who have time and again protested.”

Debate in the House

The debate in the Assembly session saw a lot of political slugfest as there were also personal attacks. Both benches in the Legislative Assembly took potshots at the other as the House addressed the issue of debts in the electricity department.