The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday announced a phased state-wide agitation to protest the hike in electricity tariffs and demand the withdrawal of smart meters. Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhavan, state Congress chief Deepak Baij termed the tariff hike as an act of oppression against the public, noting that this is the fifth time power rates have been increased since the current government took office.
Protest Phases
The opposition party will launch its protest on Wednesday by surrounding electricity offices across all districts in the state. Congress workers will also burn effigies of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who holds the energy portfolio. This will be followed by district-level press conferences on 18 June to register formal protests against the tariff hike. In the first week of July, party workers will conduct a door-to-door campaign to collect public applications demanding the removal of smart meters.
Allegations of Overcharging
According to Baij, electricity rates have gone up by 31.23% under the current regime, including a recent 12% increase under the power fuel surcharge (MPPS). In contrast, he claimed that the previous Congress government had increased power tariffs by only 2 paise in five years while implementing the ‘Half Electricity Bill’ scheme for consumption up to 400 units. The Congress alleged that the electricity department has been overcharging consumers, with bills jumping three to four times in recent months. Baij stated that over 45 lakh consumers received bills in June that were three times higher than their average consumption.
Smart Meter Controversy
Consumers have complained that smart meters, manufactured by an Adani Group company, run faster than conventional meters and record higher-than-actual consumption. The Congress is demanding the removal of these meters as part of its agitation.
