24-hour power to farms from Jan 1: CM

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao today said his government was ready to supply 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to agriculture sector from January 1.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting with officials at Pragathi Bhavan and asked them to implement a strategy to cater to growing power demands in the State from January. It was estimated that Rs 12,610 to cost for the 24 hour power supply and by March the power demand is put at 11000 mw the officials informed. The chief minister instructed the power utilities to be ready with a plan of action to cater to the growing power demands and ensure uninterrupted power supply. The facility was being extended from 9 hours to 24 hours from Jan 1 and the farm sector. The chief minister expected that the farmers will stop using power starters and avail power.

The officials made all arrangements to supply 24 hour power o 23 lakhs pump sets from January 1 and the 24 hours free power to farmers will commence from midnight of December 31 at 12.01 am. The Chief Minister discussed briefly with the officials of the TSGENCO, TSTRANSCO, TS DISCOMS on their preparedness. The officials informed to the Chief Minister that as the demand for the power will increase up to 11000 MW by March and arrangements are made for the purpose. It was estimated to cost around Rs. 12,610 crores for the 24 hour power supply to farm sector. The officials has said that as per the instructions, awareness program has been taken up with the farmers for removing the auto starters as 24 hours power will be supplied.

KCR appreciated the officials and employees for preparing in short period in this regard. He said the Telangana state at the time of formation there was huge power shortage, the Industrialists were doing agitation, there was power cut to domestic consumers, the farmers were not sure when they will get the power, now the entire scene has been changed, he said. He said from November 20, 2014, power cut to industrial and domestic consumers has been removed, farmers were getting 9 hours power supply, from July 2017 on trial basis 24 hours power supply was given to the farmers of Medak, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, from November 6 to 20 power supply for 24 hours was given in the entire state on trail basis. Now from January 1, free power to farmers for 24 hours will be provided, this is the achievement after the formation of Telangana state, said the Chief Minister.