CityLightBuzz: Former Telangana Minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao strongly criticized the Congress-led Telangana government, alleging that a lack of planning and administrative failure has pushed the state into an electricity and irrigation crisis. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao claimed that unannounced power cuts have severely affected farmers, students, traders, and the general public across the state. He remarked that while power outages were considered news during the BRS regime, uninterrupted electricity has now become the exception. He said farmers in 11 districts staged protests outside electricity substations due to prolonged outages. According to him, the primary reason for the crisis is the shortage of coal at thermal power stations, despite repeated warnings from the BRS regarding inadequate coal reserves.
Harish Rao alleged that the government’s claims of maintaining 40 lakh tonnes of coal were misleading and stated that several thermal power stations, including Kothagudem, Kakatiya, Bhadradri, and Yadadri, have coal reserves sufficient for only a few days. He further claimed that power generation has been halted in some units of the Yadadri Thermal Power Plant due to coal shortages, while operational failures have impacted generation at the Bhadradri Plant.
He questioned why the state, despite having 7,180 MW of thermal power generation capacity, produced only 3,190 MW, utilizing just 44 percent of its installed capacity. He accused the government of failing in coal procurement, reservoir management, and power plant maintenance.
Harish Rao also alleged that the Congress government is purchasing electricity at high prices through the power exchange while neglecting available thermal generation capacity. He claimed quality coal from Singareni Collieries is being supplied to neighboring states, whereas Telangana’s thermal stations are receiving low-grade coal, affecting electricity generation.
The BRS leader further alleged that the government has failed to lift water through the Kannepalli Pump House and neglected irrigation management, worsening the situation for farmers. He accused the government of ignoring expert recommendations on water lifting and reservoir filling.
Harish Rao demanded the immediate restoration of 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers, adequate coal supply to thermal power stations, and improved irrigation management. He warned that if corrective measures are not taken immediately, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will launch a statewide agitation in support of farmers.
He also alleged that the Congress government is taking credit for irrigation infrastructure developed during the previous BRS administration, including the Seetharama and Devadula projects, while failing to ensure their effective utilization.
Former Ministers Satyavathi Rathod, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra, MLA Chintha Prabhakar, and employee union leader Devi Prasad were present at the press conference.
