Bhubaneswar: The BJP has decided to launch a week-long protest against the hike in power tariff by the Odisha government without reviewing the orders passed by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).
Speaking to media persons, here on Tuesday, state president of the party Samir Mohanty said the protest will be observed across the state from July 14. The party will gherao the electricity offices starting from section to circle offices during the protest demanding rollback of the hike.
Coming down on the government, Mohanty said back to back hike of 50 paise per unit by the OERC has hit the consumers hard.
He further said since the Tata Power owned distribution companies have been claiming a reduction in transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, there is no reason to increase the tariff. Besides, the benefit from bringing down the T&D losses should be transferred to the consumers, he added.
“While the government is claiming Odisha to be power-surplus and selling surplus power to other states, it is a matter of grave concern that the tariff for common consumers is higher than other states,” he said.
It may be noted that power tariff was raised by 20 paise per unit in October last year and 30 paise per unit in April this year.
