Guwahati: The Assam Congress party has staged protests across the state against the recent hike in power tariff by the state government. The party has also promised to provide free electricity up to 200 units if it comes to power.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the state government for a reckless loan and serious debt situation in Assam and for making life of common public miserable by regular hike in tax regime on almost every item.
The Congress party has argued that the power tariff hike will put a burden on the common people, who are already struggling with rising prices of essential commodities. The party has also said that the hike is unjustified, as the state government has been making profits from the power sector.
MP Gorav Gogoi also assured that upon coming to power, the Congress will provide at least 200 units of free electricity to the people of Assam and will not let anyone accumulate wealth by strangulating the public.
Earlier, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) had issued a notification mentioning that 30 paise per unit will be levied on domestic consumers upto 300 units a month as Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment while for those consuming 300-500 units a month, a charge of 50 paise per unit will be imposed.
Moreover, a hike of Rs. 1.29 per unit will be charged for consumers with above 500 monthly units’ consumption.
The Assam government has defended the power tariff hike, saying that it is necessary to cover the increasing costs of power generation and distribution. The government has also said that the hike is marginal and that it will not have a significant impact on the common people.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma later said: “The information regarding the pricing increase for power was incorrect. Electricity prices for household users who use up to 300 units per month remain unchanged.”
Consumers who use more than 300 units and up to 500 units per month must pay 20 paise per unit more. “The consumers who use more than 500 units of electricity per month and business customers, additional charges have been levied on them. However, consumers who have usage up to 300 units each month do not experience this rise.”
The power tariff hike has become a major issue in Assam ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. The Congress party is hoping that its promise of free electricity will help it win the support of the people.