Overview
- The Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission held public hearings on Friday where BRS/TRS leaders, farmers’ groups and unions urged rejection of the licence while Congress supporters defended the plan as a financial rescue.
- Opponents say the proposal would shift large outstanding dues onto the new Rythu Discom, listing liabilities such as ₹22,926 crore from lift irrigation, ₹7,084 crore from HMWS&SB and other claims that add up to roughly ₹35,000–36,000 crore.
- Critics raised operational concerns that about 29 lakh agricultural connections would be handled with only around 2,000 proposed staff and that keeping substations and 33/11 kV lines with existing discoms could create coordination and service risks.
- The dispute is unfolding during an intense paddy procurement season in which the state says it has bought about 60 lakh metric tonnes so far and the BJP alleges roughly ₹4,000 crore in procurement irregularities, raising pressure on officials.
- TGERC has heard arguments but not issued a decision and its ruling will shape whether distribution reform, central RDSS-linked measures and possible smart meters proceed and how farm power subsidies and discom finances are restructured.