K.T. Rama Rao Slams Telangana Govt’s Move to Burden Apartment Residents with Transformer Costs
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Tuesday, November 19, criticized the Telangana government for allegedly asking apartment residents to bear the cost of installing transformers to manage the increasing power load in Hyderabad. KTR condemned the decision, which reportedly came from the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL), directing apartment complexes with power consumption exceeding 20 kW to set up their own transformers at their own expense.
Calling the move a “Tughlaq decision,” KTR expressed concern over the government’s failure to efficiently manage power supply and its indifferent stance despite public protests. He argued that it is the government’s responsibility to upgrade the power supply system, not the citizens’. The cost of installing a transformer for an apartment complex is estimated to be around ₹3 lakh, which would mean an additional financial burden of ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per household.
The BRS leader also reminded the public of the Congress government’s election promise to provide free electricity up to 200 units. He accused the government of trying to “empty the pockets of citizens” with a ₹300 crore expense under the guise of addressing power shortages.
KTR emphasized that people already pay electricity bills based on usage and that it is the government’s duty to enhance infrastructure to meet rising demand. He questioned whether the government would demand that citizens install their own pipelines and roads if usage increased, pointing out the absurdity of shifting the burden to the public rather than addressing the root cause of the power supply issues.
