Withdraw proposed hike in power tariff: Shabbir Ali

Leader of Opposition in Telangana State Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded that the Telangana Government direct Discoms to withdraw the proposed hike in power tariff.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Legislature Party office on Wednesday, Shabbir Ali strongly condemned the proposal sent by Telangana Discoms to the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) seeking a 9.14% increase in the existing power tariff. He said that the move would put an additional burden of nearly Rs. 2,000 Crore on consumers. He said that the proposed hike should be withdrawn immediately.

Shabbir Ali reminded that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, in its election manifesto, had assured that there would be no hike during its five-year rule. However, the TRS Government has gone back on its words in less than two years. He claimed that the previous Congress regime did not increase the power tariff for full five years. "As the then Energy Minister, I had ensured that there is no is hike in power tariff from 2004-2009. Despite having huge deficit, the then Congress Government not only maintained same tariff, but also provided 7-hour of uninterrupted and free power supply to farmers. However, the TRS Government is neither providing proper power to farmers, nor it is honouring the promise that it made with power consumers," he said.

The Congress leader also accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao of functioning like a king. "He wants a new home on 8.9 acres by spending Rs. 35 crore. He wants a new Secretariat and Assembly building. He appears to be on 'Demolition Mode' and wants all old buildings to be razed and replaced with new ones. He is treating State's exchequer as his personal account," he alleged.

Shabbir Ali said KCR should clarify whether he loves new buildings or hates Nizam’s architecture. "At one side KCR praises Nizam. But on the other side, he hates the buildings constructed during Nizam's Rule. He wants Assembly, Secretariat, OGH, Chest Hospital and all other buildings demolished. KCR's hate for Nizam or love for new buildings is not good for democracy. He is wasting hundreds of crores of public money. Each and every rupee which he is spending on lavish lifestyle belongs to people," he said.

"Families of Telangana martyrs are still waiting for the promised compensation. Farmers are committing suicide due to lack of assistance from the government. Students are suffering due to endless wait for clearance of Fee Reimbursement dues. Instead of behaving like a king, KCR should focus on welfare of farmers and ensure 100% release of allocations for the welfare of different sections of the society. There is absolutely no need for new buildings as almost half of all government offices would be vacant once Andhra Pradesh Government starts functioning from its new capital Amravati. What will you do with the present Assembly building after constructing a new structure?" asked Shabbir Ali.

He said that the Congress party would raise these issues in the budget session of Telangana Assembly and Council beginning from Thursday. He said that party would also take up these issues with the general public.