Samajwadi Party criticizes proposed power tariff hike

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Unit of Samajwadi Party on Sunday condemned the proposed hike in electricity tariff.
“Various power distribution companies (Discoms) are planning to hike power tariff through Odisha Electricity Regulatory Council (OERC). About 25 years ago, Odisha was the first state to go for power sector reform
and privatisation to tide over the 300 crore loss of Odisha State Electricity Board (OSEB) and the government had promised to provide quality power to the consumers at cheaper rates through this reform. Even though several private players have emerged in the field of generation and power distribution, the consumers are deprived of accessing qualitative and uninterrupted power supply, rather every year there is a hike in power tariff. Over 67 lakh consumers are bearing the brunt of exploitation of the Discoms. While more than 6,000 crore pending bill is to be collected, the government is doing nothing rather going for power tariff hike. This is anti-people and need to be opposed,” said Samajwadi Party state president Rabi Behera in a press statement here.
He said the state government should publish a white paper on the power sector reform and ensure that there is no power cut in Odisha. “The party requests consumers, others state holders and political parties to oppose such anti-people step,” he added.