Harish Rao criticises AP CM Jagan over fixing power meters to farms

Telangana Finance Minister Harish Rao has criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for installing electricity meters to all agricultural connections in combined Srikakulam district, bowing to pressure from the Central government and to receive Rs 7,000 crore from Centre. He made it clear that the Telangana state did not fix power meters to farm lands despite the Centre putting a limit on FRBM borrowing. “As a result, Telangana state could not borrow an additional Rs 5,000 crore,” he stated.

Rao slammed the Modi government for exerting pressure on the states to bring reforms in the power sector. He claimed that his government has been supplying uninterrupted free power to agricultural lands for 24 hours by spending Rs 12,000 crore every year. The minister came down heavily on the BJP-led government at Centre for neglecting Telangana state. “Moreover, the Centre is showing discrimination in allocation of funds to non-BJP states,” he alleged.