The BJP on Friday demanded immediate rollback of power tariff hike for domestic consumers announced by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Thursday.
Spokesperson Sajjan Sharma warned of a State-wide agitation by the electricity consumers backed by the BJP in protest of the move.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sharma said that the power tariff hike was not at all required. He alleged that the State Government has failed miserably to collect huge electricity bill due against private companies, leading to the crisis.
Holding the Energy Department officials responsible, Sharma said that the State can purchase power at a cheaper rate by coordinating with the Central Government’s Energy Department instead of buying electricity at higher cost from private firms. Sharma also said that electricity can be produced at as low as 83 paisa per unit if the abundant water resources are properly untilised.
Sharma said that the Central Government has resolved to provide electricity to each household and agricultural land.
Criticising the move of the State Government, he asked when there is huge allocation of money in the State Budget for energy sector reform, why is the State Government bent upon exploiting the domestic consumers by such a hike.