India News | Odisha Electricity Consumers Hold Demonstration Opposing Hike in Power Tariff

Bhubaneswar, Mar 21 (PTI) Electricity consumers in Odisha on Friday staged a demonstration before the state Assembly here demanding the withdrawal of the proposed power tariff hike.

The agitation held under the banner of Odisha Electricity Consumers' Association also asked the BJP government to fulfil its election promise by providing free electricity of 300 units per month to consumers.

Also Read | Delhi Government Gears Up To Enforce Ban on Refuelling Overaged Vehicles From April 1: Officials.

The association also demanded free power for farmers, to stop privatisation of electricity and provide electricity bills in Odia language.

The agitation supported by political parties like BJD and CPI(M), also highlighted the high power tariff in the state despite the fact that Odisha is a power-surplus state.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Crude Bomb Hurled During Dispute Between 2 Groups Over Land Issue in Gonda, Man Dies.

"We are totally opposed to the fresh proposal of hiking the power tariff by 91 paise per unit," said association president and former Odisha Finance minister Panchanan Kanungo.

He claimed that while Odisha generates 43,989 million units of power, the state's consumption is 38,814 MU.

The power tariff in Odisha is higher than in many other states, Kanungo claimed.

The association also criticised the frequent power cuts in the state.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)