We Are Opposed To Hike In Electricity Charges: KTR

The Telangana Electricity Regulatory Board held an open meeting in Sircilla today on the proposed hike in electricity charges and revenue requirements.

Speaking at the event, BRS working president K T Rama Rao communicated that his party was firmly opposed to the five-fold increase in electricity charges, and argued that it was unjust to shift the burden of providing free electricity to some groups onto the paying customers - the middle class, small businesses and large industries.

He accused the Congress of trying to fulfill its promise of free electricity to lower-tier consumers by hiking the rates for others and imposing power cuts, and claimed that during the BRS tenure no additional financial burden had been placed on the normal consumers to subsidise the free electricity given to farmers, and that no pwer cuts were imposed.

"For the past 10 years it's been like a golden age for Telangana, but in just 10 months every day feels like an era," KTR said, criticizing the proposed rate increase.

KTR also said that industries relied on sustained electricity provisions, and raising rates would adversely affect cottage industries and limit employment opportunities. "Industries will only thrive if they're protected," he said, and urged the ERC to reject the government's proposal to raise electricity charges, prioritizing the welfare of both the people and the State.

"We will oppose the fare hike tooth and nail, on behalf of the people. The government is attempting to burden poor and middle-class families for the benefit of Adani and Ambani," he said.