The Telangana government is claiming to have made the highest ever allocation for the Power sector in its recently tabled budget. But the Power Experts say the 3000 Crore allotted in the interim budget is nothing but a cruel joke on the reeling power sector and farmers who are getting affected by the ongoing power crisis in the state.
The domestic and agriculture subsidies of the state alone amounts to over Rs.4,700 crore for 2014-15. And there is interest payable on expensive power purchases between 2008 and 2012 and the interest on bonds reimbursable by the government under Financial Restoration Plan, which will make the subsidy requirement cross Rs.5,600 crore. Along with this, the state had already spent hefty amounts on purchasing power to save the crops during Rabi season. All these will need atleast Rs.7,000 crore.
Telangana will have to bear the subsidy of Power close to 6000 Crore and clearly the allotted amount will do nothing to better the power position of the state. At the same time with this meagre allocations, the Telangana government speaks high of producing 20000 MW in the state in the next 5 years. It is widely circulated that over 360 farmers have committed suicides as their crops dried up due to lack of power in the less than 6 months old TRS government.
