Protesting steep hike in power tariff, the Opposition parties including Rashtriya lok Dal and Congress took out processions on Thursday. On the other hand, a consumer body — UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad (UPRVUP) — demanded central electricity regulatory commission (CERC) to intervene into the matter and rescue the consumers of UP.
RlD workers led by State president Munna Singh Chauhan took out a march from the State party office and held a procession in front of the State Assembly building. The workers raising slogans “mukhyamantri jawab do bijali ka hisab do”, burnt effigy of the State Government and sat on a day-long dharna.
Addressing a public meeting at dharna spot, RlD State president Munna Singh Chauhan said, the Samajwadi Party which had promised free electricity to villages now turning blind eye to woes of farmers and burdened them with 40 per cent hike in power tariff. Though villages were already neglected by power corporation as being provided 6-7 hour supply at present.
Pointing that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as Energy Minister was busy ensuring 24-hour power supply to five districts represented by big SP and Congress leaders while rest of the State was reeling under power crisis, Chauhan said, it seems only five districts will vote the Samajwadi Party and rest of the State will vote to teach a lesson to the SP leaders.
Similar processions were held in all districts by party units and memorandums, demanding roll back of hiked tariff, were sent to Governor, said, RlD State spokes person KK Tripathi.
Meanwhile Youth Congress workers on Thursday marched from State assembly building
to Shakti Bhawan and burnt effigy of the chief minister. Addressing party workers Youth
Congress leader, Shri Niwasan said, if hiked tariff was not withdrawn by State
Government the Congressmen will intensify the agitation.
On other hand the consumer body UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad (UPRVUP)
briefed central electricity regulatory commission (CERC) chairman about
unconstitutional hike and demanded to intervene as the consumers of UP could get relief.