When the State is fighting the Covid-19 menace, the alleged excess power bill has only added to their woes.

The denizens here feel that the Tata Power has been exploiting the consumers ever since it has taken over the Cesu.

Tweeting to the CM, Odisha for urgent intervention, Citizens Action Forum president and senior lawyer Rabindra Prasad Pattanaik told that while the Covid 19 has affected the economy and ruined the people by way of livelihood loss, the Tata Power is cheating and exploiting people by providing excess bill for the month of March, though the revised tariff is applicable from April 4.

The new tariff hike is applicable from April 4. However, the Tata is giving inflated bill for the month of March, he told. “The Citizens Action Forum has always opposed the power tariff hike and demanded free electricity and medical facility for the inhabitants in the most critically polluted Angul district from DMF and CSR funds,” added Pattanaik. 

Coal-bearing States like Odisha in general and Angul and Jharsuguda districts in particular are facing negative externalities like loss of forest and vital eco system, pollution of air and river water, health hazards, problems of resettlement and rehabilitation, which are not being sorted out.

Moreover, the residents of Angul are at higher health risk due the severe pollution of four thermal power plants and 17 coal mines.  Due to dust and air pollution, diseases like tuberculosis, asthma, fluorosis, bronchitis, thyroid and stomach ailments have become chronic. In view of this, the polluters must pay for the health and electricity cost of the people, Pattanaik said.

More than 6 lakh domestic active consumers of Angul district are paying electric bills. The electric bill of the domestic consumers be reimbursed from the DMF / CSR funds by industries and mines, he said further.