Hyderabad: Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu has urged the Centre to significantly increase its allocation of solar pump sets and renewable energy resources to the state, as part of efforts to transform agricultural infrastructure and reduce dependence on conventional power.
Meeting Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on Tuesday, Bhatti Vikramarka submitted three formal proposals seeking targeted support for Telangana under various components of the PM-KUSUM scheme. He stressed that the state’s rapid progress in agriculture and clean energy must be backed by proportionate central assistance.
Highlighting Telangana’s strong performance in renewable energy adoption and agricultural output, Bhatti Vikramarka called for timely interventions to ensure uninterrupted power supply and sustainable irrigation for the state’s farming community.
Bhatti Vikramarka requested that the original plan to allocate 4,000 MW of solar capacity to Telangana under KUSUM Component-A be upheld. This capacity, spread across solar plants of 500 kW to 2 MW, is crucial to meet the state’s long-term renewable energy goals. He cautioned that a potential reduction in allocation to 1,000 MW, as reported after a review of the EoI period by the MNRE, would significantly undermine Telangana’s targets. Given the state’s leadership in clean energy, he said, the Centre must reconsider the cut.
Under Component-B, the Deputy CM sought approval for one lakh solar pump sets to strengthen irrigation infrastructure. He said the state has already submitted a detailed project report through TSREDCO and is prepared to release its share of funding. Bhatti Vikramarka also flagged challenges in tribal regions, where forest regulations hamper power line installations, and asked for the Centre’s cooperation to resolve these constraints.
In his third proposal, Bhatti Vikramarka asked for two lakh solar pump sets under Component-C. Telangana currently operates lakhs of pumps for agricultural irrigation, and shifting them to solar would reduce the load on the conventional electricity grid. He emphasised the need for expanded allocations to support this transition.
The Deputy CM reminded the Union Minister that Telangana leads the country in annual agricultural growth and has earned the title “Rice Bowl of India.” With schemes like Rythu Bandhu driving progress, he said enhanced central support could unlock further achievements in the sector.
In Delhi, met Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Sri @JoshiPralhad ji and submitted 3 key requests for Telangana:
1.4,000 MW solar plant allocation under PM-KUSUM-A
2.1 lakh solar pump sets under PM-KUSUM-B
3.2 lakh pump sets under PM-KUSUM-CUrged Centre’s full support… pic.twitter.com/AuRyfzCnGJ
— Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu (@Bhatti_Mallu) May 6, 2025
