Hyderabad: The BRS party has strongly opposed the proposed increase in electricity tariffs suggested by the Discoms. The proposal includes raising the cost from Rs 10 to Rs 50 per unit for consumption beyond 300 units. Additionally, it plans to bring all commercial consumers under one tariff category.
The BRS, led by its working president KT Rama Rao, voiced concerns about this proposal. The party leaders met with the ERC (Electricity Regulatory Commission) chairman to discuss the issue. KTR highlighted that the tariff hike could impose a huge financial burden of Rs 18,500 crore on the people of Telangana. He urged the ERC to reject the proposals made by the government through the Discoms.
KTR mentioned that the nine proposals suggested by the Discoms would harm the financial stability of ordinary households. He warned that these changes could push people into financial distress. He also criticized the idea of grouping all industries under one tariff category, calling it unfair and harmful to the industrial sector.
Further, KTR pointed out that Telangana’s industrial sector is already struggling. He noted that Foxconn, a major tech company, has left Telangana out of its expansion plans, preferring states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh instead. He attributed this shift to the government’s poor policies and mentioned that some industries have already moved out of Telangana since the Congress party came to power.
Rao also recalled that during KCR’s administration, similar tariff hikes were rejected to protect the public. He mentioned that, at the time, when Discoms proposed a Rs 1,200 crore True-Up charge, KCR ensured the government absorbed the cost instead of passing it on to citizens. KTR warned that increasing electricity charges now could stop the progress of the state.
The ERC has scheduled a public hearing on October 23 to discuss the tariff proposals. KTR and his team plan to present their arguments against the hikes during this hearing.
