In a major boost to the farm sector, the Telangana government has decided to provide 24x7 power supply from Monday night on an experimental basis.

The State had been supplying round-the-clock power on a pilot initiative to the farm sector in three districts during the kharif season. It will now be offered across the State for 5-6 days initially.

CM’s directive

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had earlier ordered 24x7 free uninterrupted power supply to agriculture from March-April 2018.

Following a review meeting the Chief Minister held with D Prabhakar Rao, CMD of TS Genco, on Sunday, he instructed that arrangements be made for 24-hour power supply to farmers by March-April 2018.

However, Prabhakar Rao said that on an experimental basis, 24-hour power supply would be given to the farm sector from Monday night for five or six days all over the State.

Based on feedback, follow-up action will be taken, he said.

Arrangements made

TS Transco, Genco and discoms SPDCL and NPDCL have invested about ₹12,000 crore to strengthen the distribution and supply systems.

About 23 lakh pump sets are in use in the State farm sector.

The three districts where round-the-clock power is being supplied now have 9.58 lakh pump sets. To supply 24-hour power to all the 23 lakh pump sets, additional 1,500-2,000 MW is required and necessary arrangements have been made for it.

The Chief Minister said in a statement, “Telangana farmers have suffered a lot under the united AP regime for the lack of power supply. They were not getting even 3 to 4 hours of supply. Though major part cultivation in Telangana region was dependent on the borewells, the then government has neglected it. The day I became the CM I have decided to change this situation.”

Prabhakar Rao said: “By next year plants at Manuguru and Kothagudem will start generating. We have improved the institutional efficiency in the areas of line losses. We are confident that like the 24-hour power supply given to the three district, we will succeed in rest of the State.”

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