The surge of anger among farmers in Medak on Monday, which incited them to protests, beating up of officials and smashing of vehicles, was not without its reason. For a week prior to the protests, they had been receiving only three to four hours of power supply instead of the official six.
Officials from the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana (TSSPDCL) informed that the six-hour supply as officially announced earlier could not be maintained due to the shutdown of a 500 MW unit in Kothagudem Thermal Power Station.
Two units of the Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) in Vijayawada having been under shutdown for overhaul, and one more in Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project down with technical snag, the shortage was augmented by 340 MW more.
Telangana state was reeling under a power shortage of 23.8 Million Units as on July 3, of which more than half the burden was laden on agricultural consumers. Combined load reliefs implemented for agriculture in Telangana by TSSPDCL and TSNPDCL amounted to a total of 12.7 MU.
Load reliefs“Compare this with the industrial load reliefs at 1.3 mu, enforced through weekly power holidays. The enormous difference is self-revelatory. In a haste to earn the name as industry-friendly state, the government is not paying enough heed to farmers’ needs. The industries can afford a second power holiday as long as the Kharif operations are on,” an official remarked.
Agricultural supply has been brought down from seven hours to six hours per day officially, and even that is not being given now, he said.
However, with inflows to Srisailam increasing, the hydro generation has caught up since yesterday evening, making it easier for the officials. Nearly 750 MW of power is being generated from Srisailam Left Bank Canal as of now, officials informed.
