Left parties to protest against power charge hike

Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana and Communist Party (Marxist) BV Raghavulu on Thursday condemned the state government’s move to hike power tariff on the domestic consumers who use more than 300 units of electricity per month.

Talking to media persons at CPI party office, RTC Crossroads, Dr Narayana stated the party will launch a protest against the government’s proposal to increase power tariffs across the state on April 2.

He said the government’s decision will affect over 11 lakh families, who consume over 300 units a month have to cough up 50 paise more for every unit they consume.

The AP Electricity Regulation Commission had on Wednesday decided to raise the per unit charge from the existing Rs 5.50 to Rs 6 for consumption above 300 units from April 1.

Dr Narayana said that his party activists will stage dharna in front of power sub stations and Electricity boards demanding revocation of the decision.

He alleged that the government ignored the welfare of people, particularly poor and the backward and was burdening them further.

Condemning the steep hike in power charges, CPM leader Raghavulu stated the hike would put additional burden on the poor, who were already affected by the increase in essential commodities.

Protesting the government’s decision, the CPM would stage agitation in front of power substations and Discoms on Friday and Saturday, Mr Raghavulu revealed.

The Left leader said that they his party has not yet decided whether to support former MP Jaganmohan Reddy or Telugu Desam Party in the by-elections to the Kadapa and Pulivendula constituencies. However, Mr Raghavulu made it clear that his party was opposed to the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party.