State govt. sanctioned 2 lakh farm power connections in two years: Deputy CM in Council

HYDERABAD

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka who holds the portfolios of Energy and Finance stated that the State government has been implementing several consumer-friendly reforms in power supply, including free power to agricultural pumpsets and services such as electricity ambulances and single toll-free number (1912) to register all complaints.

Replying to a question raised by CPI member Nellikanti Satyam in the Legislative Council on Monday during Question Hour, the Deputy Chief Minister said they were strengthening the energy sector continuously to extend improved and quality services to all consumers, including farmers. He said that the government was addressing issues piled up during the BRS government one-by-one.

From January 2022 to December 2025 the two power distribution utilities had sanctioned 3,44,462 new farm connections, including two lakh in 2024 and 2025, by scrutinising the pending applications. A total of 75,686 new distribution transformers were also installed to handle the additional load from the new connections. The connections were issued purely based on seniority of the applications and another 9,700 connections would be sanctioned once the distribution lines necessary were laid.

Explaining the single toll-free number service to register/resolve all complaints, Mr. Vikramarka said the 1912 number facility was introduced on the lines of 108 ambulance service and an electricity ambulance carrying a mobile transformer, thermal vision cameras, safety gear boxes and others manned by an engineer and two other staff was also introduced to rush to locations with supply issues to address them immediately.

Further, he stated that there was no scarcity of poles, conductor/cable and transformers across the State. Earlier, the CPI member sought to know whether the farmers were paying money for getting the burnt/failed transformers repaired and the Discoms were not doing it. He also said the government was supplying only one pole on payment and the remaining poles required were being purchased by farmers outside.