Free power for farmers is Congress party’s ‘patent right’: Bhatti Vikramarka

Deputy Chief Minister M. Bhatti Vikramarka inaugurated the new 33/11 kV substation at Khammam on Sunday. | Photo credit: Worksheet

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka accused some political parties of spreading false propaganda to mislead farmers and said “Free power for farmers is the patent right of the Congress party”.

The Congress government will live up to its promise of free power to farmers and will not deviate from its commitments, he said while addressing a rally after inaugurating the 33/11KV substation along with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao in Khammam on Sunday (June 7).

To provide free electricity to 30,000 crore agricultural pump sets, the finance department pays around ₹1,150 crore every month to power companies on behalf of farmers — nearly ₹1,400 crore annually. The government counts each unit consumed and reimburses the electricity ministry accordingly, he noted.

Similarly, the government provides up to 200 units of free electricity every month to around 53 million poor and middle households across the state. The government bears the full cost of the system.

He said, “As part of the power sector reforms, the government is even ready to set up a separate Farmer DISCOM, if necessary, to better serve the agriculture sector.”

He accused some political parties of spreading misinformation by claiming that the Congress government would install electricity meters to farmers. He recalled Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s strong appeal: “If we ever install meters for farmers, we will not fight elections. We will continue to provide free electricity without meters. Free power for farmers is the patent right of the Congress party. If we continue to provide free electricity without meters, will those spreading false propaganda stop contesting elections or apologize to the people of Telangana?”

He stressed that despite the increase in peak demand by 3,500 MW in the last two and a half years, the government has ensured uninterrupted power supply. To meet future energy requirements, the government is already planning the necessary energy infrastructure, he said, outlining ambitious renewable energy initiatives such as generating 20,000 MW of solar power by 2030.

Published – 07 June 2026 21:30 IST