KTR says power sector in disarray in Congress regime

On Wednesday, Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy took issue with BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao's criticisms of the State government's management of the power sector. Mr. Rama Rao had previously announced plans to dispatch six BRS teams to inspect power stations, which the Congress MP argued was aimed at fabricating a false crisis.

The MP dismissed BRS assertions about the sector's accomplishments and maintained that free power for farmers was a Congress-led initiative. Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy contended that the BRS government had left power distribution companies with over ₹81,000 crore in debt and questioned the acquisition of 1,000 MW from Chhattisgarh, suggesting more cost-effective options existed.

He accused the earlier administration of engaging in irregularities in significant power projects, such as the Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant and the Yadadri project, and noted that the BRS favored nomination-based contracts, leading to financial losses. Defending the Congress government, Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy pointed out that the effects of drought conditions caused by El Niño were being experienced nationwide and accused the BRS of blaming the government for weather-related issues.

He accused the opposition of attempting to incite farmers for political reasons. Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy stated that the government was striving to ensure a steady power supply to farmers and consumers and add to crop diversification. He cautioned that revelations about alleged irregularities during the BRS era would be unveiled and accused the previous government of transforming a surplus State into one with mounting debt during its ten-year tenure.