KTR Alleges Telangana Government Planning to End Free Power for Farmers Through Meter Installation

Hyderabad, May 2026 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Telangana, alleging that its decision to install meters on agricultural motors was part of a larger strategy to gradually abolish the free electricity scheme for farmers and privatise the state’s power sector.

Addressing party workers and leaders at the BRS headquarters in Hyderabad, KTR claimed that the Congress government was attempting to introduce prepaid electricity systems across the state under the guise of power sector reforms. According to him, the move would directly impact farmers and ordinary households that currently benefit from subsidised or free electricity.

KTR alleged that the State Cabinet, during its meeting on Saturday, had taken a decision to implement prepaid electricity meters for agricultural connections as well as domestic consumers within the next three months. He warned that the move would eventually lead to the withdrawal of the free power scheme introduced during the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.

The BRS leader claimed that the Congress government was “conspiring” to eliminate free electricity for farmers by first installing meters on agricultural motors and later extending prepaid systems to every household in the state. He said the plan was aimed at shifting the burden of electricity costs onto consumers while opening the door for private corporate participation in the power sector.

KTR recalled that before the Assembly elections, the BRS had repeatedly warned the public that free electricity schemes could be discontinued if Congress came to power. He said KCR had earlier cautioned people about the possibility of prepaid meters being introduced in the name of reforms and had resisted similar proposals during his tenure despite pressure from the Centre.

According to KTR, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier linked financial assistance and loans worth Rs 30,000 crore to the implementation of prepaid electricity meters. However, he claimed that the previous BRS government had refused to accept such conditions in order to protect farmers’ interests and preserve free electricity schemes.

The BRS working president alleged that the Congress administration had now agreed to move ahead with the installation of prepaid meters across the state. He compared the proposed system to prepaid mobile phone connections, where consumers would need to recharge electricity balances in advance to access power supply.

KTR further claimed that the Congress government’s long-term objective was to hand over the electricity sector to private entities and corporate groups. He accused the ruling party of attempting to commercialise public utilities at the cost of common citizens and farmers.

Calling upon people to oppose the government’s plans, KTR urged citizens to “rise against the power conspiracies” allegedly being carried out in Telangana. He appealed to the public to prevent the installation of meters on agricultural pumps and resist the introduction of prepaid electricity systems in households.

The BRS leader also accused the Congress government of failing to fulfil its promises since assuming office. He alleged that despite nearly half of its five-year mandate having elapsed, the government had not delivered meaningful progress for either the state or the public.

KTR said public dissatisfaction with the Congress government was steadily growing and asserted that people were prepared to teach the ruling party a “fitting lesson” in the future. He accused the government of indulging in “anarchy and corruption” while making unrealistic promises to voters.

The Telangana government has not yet officially responded to KTR’s allegations regarding the implementation of prepaid meters or the future of the free electricity scheme for farmers.