Odisha Cong Threatens Stir Over CESU’s Power Disconnection Drive

Bhubaneswar: Opposing the decision of the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) to begin the power disconnection drive from January 16, the Odisha Congress on Friday asked the power distribution company to reconsider its decision and threatened indefinite agitation against it.

Briefing mediapersons here, Congress leader Suresh Routray said that CESU, which is yet to collect the pending power bill worth hundreds of crores from the industrialists, has decided to disconnect power from the houses of the poor and domestic consumers. “We will not tolerate the lop-sided decision of the CESU and vehemently protest if it undertakes power disconnection drive. It must refrain from acting on its decision,” he added.

With the annual Matric and Plus II examinations round the corner, the students will face a lot of difficulties in preparing for the examination if the power is disconnected, the Congress leader said.

In his reaction, BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan said that it seems that Tata Power has made a condition with the state government that it will take over CESU only after collection of all pending bills.

Also Read: Pay Your Pending Bills Or Lose Your Power Disconnection From Jan 16, Says CESU

On the other hand, the BJD has welcomed the decision of the CESU. “CESU has given relaxation to the consumers to deposit their pending bills in instalments. But if they ignore this offer, CESU will be forced to disconnect the power from their houses. Not only the domestic consumers, CESU will take similar action against the industrial units if they fail to deposit the pending bill,” BJD leader Sudhir Samal said.