Free power for farmers is the Congress party’s ‘patent right’: Bhatti Vikramarka

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has accused some political parties of spreading false propaganda to mislead farmers and said that ‘Free power for farmers is the Congress party’s patent right.’

The Congress government will honour its promise of free power to farmers and will not deviate from its commitments, he said while addressing a gathering after inaugurating a 33/11KV power substation along with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao in Khammam on Sunday (June 07).

To provide free electricity to 30 lakh agricultural pump sets ,the Finance department pays approximately ₹1,150 crore every month — nearly ₹1,400 crore annually — to the power utilities on behalf of farmers. The government calculates every unit consumed and reimburses the Electricity department accordingly, he noted.

Likewise, the government provides up to 200 units of free electricity every month to around 53 lakh poor and middle-class households across the State. The government bears the full cost of the scheme.

He said: “As part of power sector reforms, the government is even prepared to establish a separate Farmer DISCOM, if necessary to better serve the agricultural sector.”

He accused some political parties of spreading misinformation by claiming that the Congress government would install electricity meters for farmers. He recalled Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s strong challenge: “If we ever install meters for farmers, we will not contest elections. We will continue providing free electricity without meters. Free power for farmers is the Congress party’s patent right. If we continue supplying free electricity without meters, will those spreading false propaganda stop contesting elections or apologise to the people of Telangana?”

He emphasised that despite a rise of 3,500 MW in peak demand over the past two-and-a-half years, the government ensured uninterrupted power supply. To meet future power requirement, the government is already planning necessary power infrastructure, he said, outlining the ambitious renewable energy initiatives such as generating 20,000 MW of solar power by 2030.