The YSRCP government allayed the apprehensions of the farmers that the change in the policy on free power supply to agriculture would not impose any burden on them.
Chief advisor to the government Ajeya Kallam said power distribution companies (Discoms) would be entrusted with the responsibility to create dedicated bank accounts for the farmers and install smart meters for agriculture power connections free of cost.
“Every month the meter reading will be directly sent to the finance department, which immediately transfers the amount to farmers bank account, which can be redeemed by Discoms,” Kallam said.
He asserted that the steps are being taken in line with the central reforms, which calls for direct transfer of subsidies to the accounts of farmers.
Although several states, including AP and Telangana, objected to some of the aspects in the draft Bill, to fulfil the promise of providing free electricity to the farmers, the State government formulated a new policy that fits within the guidelines of the Central government, he said.
He made it clear that the free power supply scheme would continue under any circumstances, as it was introduced by former chief minister Dr Y S Rajashekar Reddy, father of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Minister for power Balineni Srinivasa Reddy challenged that he would resign from his cabinet post, if the farmers were forced to pay electricity bills.
“Under any circumstances, farmers will not be paying a single rupee towards electricity bill. If that happens, I will resign from the post,’ he said.