The Odisha Nagarika Samaj (ONAS), a civil society body, organised a consultation meeting on the proposed hike of electricity tariff here last week.
Attending the meeting, Odisha Vidyut Upabhokta Mahasangha president and former Minister Panchanan Kanungo termed the tariff hike move as anti-people and urged the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to pass its order for a CAG audit of the accounts of power distribution companies.
Besides, former OERC Chairman DK Roy asked the civil society to work as a watchdog and create awareness among the public to curb theft of electricity. It was also decided to form a research cell by the civil society comprising experienced and technically qualified people to go deep into the matter of energy pricing.
The meeting was also addressed by ONAS president Prof Jantrana Parikshit, secretary Subas Chandra Panda, joint secretary Sachikanta Pradhan, treasurer Jyotsna Das and lalit Mishra and BK Panda.