Special cells in MPDO offices to correct Gruha Jyothi bills; supplying more power than BRS regime: Bhatti

HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Saturday appealed to Gruha Jyothi beneficiaries not to panic if they did not get zero bills.

A special cell was being created at all Mandal Parishad Offices to rectify the bills of the eligible.

He said that the Congress government had supplied more electricity than the erstwhile BRS regime to meet the growing demands and alleviating peak demand pressures.

Also Read: Gruha Jyothi scheme: Luxury apartment dwellers receive zero bills, Congress to face heat

Addressing a press conference at Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Saturday, Bhatti stated, "On Friday, we supplied a record-breaking 15,623 megawatts of electricity, marking the highest in the state's history."

However, Bhatti accused the BRS of spreading false propaganda regarding power shortages and cuts. Presenting statistics, he revealed that 200 million units of electricity were supplied in December 2022, escalating to 207.07 million units in December 2023. Additionally, in January 2023, 230.54 million units were provided, rising to 243.12 million units in January 2024. The trend continued, with February 2024 witnessing a supply of 272.85 million units, compared to 263.38 million units in February 2023. Similarly, in March 2024, 295.21 million units were supplied, surpassing the 289.78 million units provided in March 2023.

Anticipating an increase in electricity demand during the upcoming summer, Bhatti assured that the government had made comprehensive arrangements to address the surge, aiming to meet a maximum consumption of 16,500 megawatts.

He urged the public not to be swayed by the alleged power shortages propagated by the BRS, emphasising the government's commitment to position Telangana as a benchmark in green power generation.

Bhatti underscored the Congress Government's focus on alternative power generation, including solar, wind, hydel, pumped storage plans, and utilising untapped coal blocks in Singareni collieries. He added, "We are introducing floating solar facilities in large and medium-sized water reservoirs, ensuring no harm to fisheries. Additionally, we are exploring solar power generation along irrigation main canals and bunds to meet the rising energy demands."

Bhatti accused certain electricity officials of attempting to discredit the government and assured that necessary actions were being taken against them.

Refuting opposition claims about the Gruha Jyoti scheme, Bhatti clarified that all verified applicants received the promised 200 units of free electricity. He stated, "The Congress government is dedicated to providing free electricity to those consuming up to 200 units through the Gruha Jyoti scheme, benefiting 40,33,702 people."

Highlighting concerns about the delayed issuance of new ration cards during the previous BRS government's tenure, Bhatti acknowledged the ongoing application process for the Gruha Jyoti scheme.

Those who had a consumption of less than 200 units and got bills for the power they had consumed, a special cell was being created in the offices of the mandal parishad development officers and the people could approach them with necessary documents and get the same rectified.

Regarding the Rythu Bharosa scheme, Bhatti accused the previous government of paying Rs 20,000 crore to landlords on hills, hillocks, and roads, labelling it as a misuse of public funds. He mentioned that funds had been disbursed to farmers owning less than three acres and assured that those with four and five acres would soon receive assistance.

Bhatti also announced that the Indira Kranti scheme would be revived to provide interest-free loans to women entrepreneurs. He said the scheme would be launched in Hyderabad on March 12 and have a budget of Rs 1 lakh crore over five years. He also mentioned plans to establish micro-small industry parks.

Bhatti also accused the previous BRS regime of taking Rs 7 lakh crore loans. He claimed that the Congress Government brought fiscal discipline, which ensured timely payment of salaries and pensions on March 1. He emphasised the government's commitment to paying Asha, Anganwadi, and Mid Day meal workers promptly. He said bills of nearly Rs 40,000 crore were kept pending by the previous BRS regime. He said that after coming to power, the Congress Government cleared the bills, beginning with those under Rs 10 lakhs.