Rig owners urge Telangana government to amend borewell restrictions

Hyderabad: The Telangana Rig Owners Association (TROA) has urged the State government to amend G.O. Ms. No. 259, citing the hardships faced by borewell rig owners. The association alleged that HYDRAA and Revenue officials were indiscriminately seizing their vehicles, citing the government order issued on October 29.

TROA said the government had clearly stated that there were no restrictions on servicing and repairing borewells in existing buildings. However, officials continued to seize vehicles deployed for such work, it alleged.

The association warned that it would convene a meeting within a week and announce its future course of action if the government failed to consider its demands. The proposed action could include a complete suspension of operations, a TROA office-bearer said.

Speaking at a press conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday, TROA president M Anji Reddy said the regulations under the government order would remain in force until July 31, 2027.

He said water conservation was essential in view of the rainfall deficit. However, he stressed that the government should allow borewell drilling in existing and new buildings, subject to specific rules.

Anji Reddy said nearly one lakh families directly depended on the association for their livelihoods. He warned that borewell owners would struggle to sustain their businesses if permissions were denied and their vehicles continued to be seized. Already, many owners had migrated to other States in search of business to ensure payment of EMIs to banks and private lenders. He added that the restrictions would affect not only domestic consumers but also commercial operations and the construction sector.

TROA also alleged a lack of coordination among government departments. While the government had clarified that permissions could be obtained from the respective Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) offices, officials were denying applications without valid reasons, association office-bearers said.