Congress threatens statewide agitation 'if electricity tariff is hiked even by 1 paisa'

By Jagadananda Pradhan
BHUBANESWAR:Congress has threatened statewide agitation, 'If electricity tariff is hiked even by 1 paisa', affirming that the Congress is committed to safeguarding the interests of ordinary electricity consumers.

Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo speaking to reporters at Congress Bhawan on Tuesday said, BJP had promised during the elections; if they came to power, they would immediately provide 300 units of free electricity.The BJP had promised  consumers to supply electricity through "Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme."

However, even after eight months in power, the ruling BJP government has failed to fulfill its promise,he alleged. “Instead of providing 300 units of free electricity, it is unfortunate that TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) has proposed a tariff hike of 12.42 paise per unit to the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC),Kanungo pointed out. The state government has remained silent on this matter,he alleged.

TPCODL has stated that for the upcoming year, it will purchase an additional 1,310 million units of electricity from GRIDCO. A total of 13,823 million units will be procured at a cost of Rs 4,688.36 crore. Tata Power has further indicated that distribution losses will amount to 2,374 units, which is 17.17 percent. The remaining 11,449 million units will be sold to consumers,the congress leader said.

TPCODL has said that its revenue requirement is estimated at Rs 6,862.542 crore, while it expects to collect Rs 6,720.39 crore, resulting in a revenue shortfall of Rs 142.15 crore. To compensate for this deficit, they have proposed an increase of 12.42 paise per unit,he claimed.

Kanungo alleged that in 2023-24, Tata collected approximately 28 paise more per unit than the tariff fixed by the commission, earning an excess of Rs 246.47 lakh. He demanded that, as per Section 62(6) of the Electricity Act 2003, Tata should refund this amount to consumers with interest. TPCODL’s proposal for a tariff hike is a matter of concern to the people of Odisha.

"So we demand  the state government immediately provide 300 units of free electricity as promised and stop the exploitation of electricity consumers.

Since GRIDCO is under the state government’s control, it should take appropriate steps to regulate electricity prices”,he said.

Bhubaneswar Congress Lok Sabha candidate Syed Yasir Nawaz stated that two contradictory laws seem to operate in Odisha regarding electricity tariffs. While industrialists and capitalists are granted waivers worth crores in electricity dues, ordinary consumers are being squeezed for every penny.

He alleged a conspiracy to exploit consumers by installing smart meters. Nawaz pointed out that, according to data presented in the Assembly, over the last 10 years, 14 industrialists have been waived Rs 4,097.67 crore in electricity dues under various schemes. Similarly, Rs 1,096.32 crore in dues from 23 industries remain unpaid. He questioned why these outstanding amounts are not being recovered from them, while a conspiracy is being hatched to burden ordinary consumers.

He warned that if the BJP government fails to provide 300 units of free electricity as promised and instead increases tariffs for common consumers, the Pradesh Congress, under the leadership of President  Bhakta Charan Das, will launch an unstoppable statewide agitation.

Kanungo added that, in the interest of electricity consumers, the Congress, along with all non-BJP parties will go for a movement.

Among others,former PCC spokesperson Manoranjana Das, former PCC General Secretary Manoj Biswal, and Pradesh Chhatra Congress President Udit Pradhan attended the pressmeet.