Congress Wants Free Power For Places Of Worship

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) demanded that the State government supply free power to all places of worship in the State.

"The energy department is collecting huge amounts from the places of worships including mosques, temples, churches, and gurdwaras towards power consumption charges. Shockingly, these places of worship are being applied the commercial tariff. Hence, the monthly billing for these religious places is amounting to several thousands, and even lakhs of rupees in some cases. Consequently, the managements of most of the institutions are unable to clear the bills leading to disconnection of power supply," TPCC spokespersons Syed Nizamuddin said in his letter to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

Citing an instance, Syed Nizamuddin said that the Secretary of Masjid Char Chaman, Jahanuma, received a bill of Rs. 4.16 lakhs. The power supply to the Masjid has been disconnected on January 30 due to non-payment of bill.

"This is a small mosque with very little sources of revenue. It pays the salaries of Imam, Maozan, and other staff with great difficulty by taking small donations from devotees. How can this mosque be expected to pay a whopping sum of Rs. 4.16 lakh power bill?" he asked.

The TPCC spokespersons said several places of worship in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and also other parts of Telangana had fewer sources of revenue. He said that the State Government should consider supplying free power to all places of worship, irrespective of religion. If not, a special tariff could be fixed for such places with the State government adding subsidy, he said.

The Congress leader also urged the government to waive off all pending power arrears of all places of worship in the State.

"The TSSPDCL should be directed to restore the power supply to those places of worship where the connections were withdrawn due to non-payment of bills, immediately," he demanded.