Opposition to agitate if power tariff hiked in Jharkhand

RANCHI - The opposition parties in Jharkhand have threatened to launch an agitation if the state government implements the new power tariff from May 1.

Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) Monday announced a hike in power tariff from 20 paise per unit to 35 paise per unit for domestic consumers. The new rates will be implemented from May 1.

\”The Shibu Soren government is working against the interests of the common people. First Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel was hiked to 5.5 percent, then Rs.40 subsidy on LPG gas cylinder was withdrawn and now power tariff has been hiked. We demand withdrawal of the hike in power tariff,\” Jharkhand Congress general secretary Shailesh Sinha told IANS.

\”The state government has no right to hike power tariff as it has failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the people of the state,\” Sinha said.

He said the Congress would soon convene a meeting of opposition parties in the state and decide the form of agitation.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajanatrik senior leader Rajiv Ranjan Mishra said: \”Shibu Soren, in a short period of three months, has taken all necessary steps to compound the woes of the people. The state government decisions are against people. Such decisions will badly hit the tribal and poor people.\”