BRS agreed to fix agri meters, says Revanth

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday presented documents to state that the previous BRS was making false and misleading claims regarding its stance on installing meters on agricultural pump sets.

He said that the BRS government had entered into a tripartite agreement with the Centre on January 4, 2017, to install these meters, contrary to its assertions that it had waged a battle with the Centre on this issue.

Revanth Reddy placed the tripartite agreement copy signed between the BRS government and the Centre in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday to substantiate his charges.

During a general discussion on the Budget, responding to comments by BRS member T. Harish Rao, Revanth Reddy stated that a tripartite agreement was signed between the Centre, the state government and the distribution companies (discoms) for installing meters on agricultural pumps by June 30, 2017.

The agreement also included provisions for installing meters on feeders and smart meters in all houses by December 31, 2018, said Revanth Reddy.

The Chief Minister accused Harish Rao of misleading the House with his statements and requested the Speaker to expunge the Opposition leader’s claims regarding the meter installations from the records. He asked Harish Rao to review the tripartite agreement papers tabled in the Assembly.

Earlier, Harish Rao had stated during the debate that the BRS government had turned down the Centre's directive to install meters on agricultural pumps, resulting in a loss of approximately `30,000 crore to Telangana over five years with the Centre denying the additional loans that were permitted under enhanced FRBM limits for states which agree to install the meters.

“It is ridiculous. Harish is suppressing facts to cover up their mistakes. To set the records straight, I am placing the facts along with a copy of the agreement in the house,” he said.

The BRS government signed an agreement on January 4, 2017 to fix meters at distribution transformers within six months. Then energy secretary Ajay Mishra, TGSPDCL CMD G. Raghuma Reddy and TGNPDCL CMD A. Gopal Rao signed the agreement. Former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao entered into an agreement with the Narendra Modi government to fix the meters within six months. Harish Rao should go through the agreement before making false statements, the Chief Minister said.

Harish Rao, who initiated the general discussion on the budget, explained in detail the loans raised by the previous government. He mentioned that the BRS government had rejected the Centre's offer for more loans if meters were installed for agriculture pump sets.

"The state could have availed ₹30,000 crore if meters were installed. However, our chief minister rejected the offer as the state government was against installing meters for agricultural connections," Harish Rao said, referring to Chandrashekar Rao.

At this point, Revanth Reddy intervened, stating that the Congress government had generously given the Opposition time to express its views on the state Budget and was open to incorporating constructive suggestions.

However, he said, Harish Rao had lied about the installation of electricity meters.

He said that the BRS government had assured the Union government of a timely installation of meters on distribution transformers and feeders. The agreement also required installation of smart meters for domestic connections consuming up to 500 units by December 2018 and up to 200 units by December of the following year, he said.

He strongly criticised the BRS’ claims of asset creation using borrowed funds and recalled how they had sold out the Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad to private parties at undervalued rates. He pointed out numerous irregularities during the BRS rule, including in handling distribution of sheep, goats and Bathukamma saris and the indiscriminate sale of land.

Revanth Reddy said that a looming crisis threatens the Telangana electricity distribution companies (discoms) as the state government faces potential action from the Centre if the tripartite agreement to fix meters was not implemented.

He said failure to implement this agreement may result in punitive actions from the Central authorities, potentially jeopardising the state's energy sector.

"This was hidden from the public, particularly the farmers, until when elections were near. The agreement essentially handed over control of the state electricity department to the Central government," Revanth Reddy said.

The situation has escalated to the point where the Central government's intervention seemed imminent, he noted. The discoms, which are responsible for electricity distribution within the state, now face severe consequences for non-compliance with the smart meter installation mandate, he said.

As the deadline for compliance approaches, the Telangana government faces mounting pressure to act swiftly. He expressed concern that the spectre of Central government action hung over the state's discoms.