Assam: Effigies of Power Minister Burned in Protest of Electricity Cost Hike
A protest led by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Prasad took on sloganeering against the state government.
BISWANATH: The state government recently announced an increase in the power tariff which sparked a sharp reaction among the people of the state who had already been suffering from the shortage of proper electrical supply in the past few months.
A protest led by the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad took on sloganeering against the state government for this step. They also set an effigy of the Minister of Power in the State, Nandita Garlosa on fire as a sign of protest.
This protest was taken up in Biswanath of Assam after the central committees of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad had called for the local units of the organisation to take up protests against the announced hike in prices. The protest was carried out in the Biswanath town outside the office of the organisation.
The protesters also chanted slogans against the government’s decision to hike the costs once again and demanded its immediate cancellation. They also mentioned the inability of the department to provide uninterrupted power, which has been a major problem for the people of the state. They also threatened that if their demands were not met, they would undertake massive protests across the state.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, dismissed media reports suggesting an increase in energy costs as false. He asserted that the current tariff rates for up to 300 units of electricity consumption had remained unchanged. However, a new tariff structure has indeed been introduced, with additional charges applicable for varying consumption levels. For consumption above 300 units and up to 500 units, consumers will incur an additional charge of 0.20 paise per unit. Meanwhile, consumers, particularly government offices, consuming more than 500 units will be subject to a charge of Rs 0.99 paise per unit. Commercial and other industrial consumers will face a charge of Rs 0.59 paise per unit, as per a notification issued by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).
Also Read: Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Denies Energy Cost Increase Amid New Tariff Rates
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