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NDA protests increase in power tariff in Bihar
Leader of Opposition in Bihar legislative assembly Prem Kumar criticised the Nitish Kumar government for the astronomical hike in power rates and demanded its recall.
The BJP-led NDA on Saturday protested the sharp hike in power rates and demanded its roll back in the state assembly.
Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar criticised the Nitish Kumar government for the astronomical hike in power rates and demanded its recall.
Former chief minister and BJP’s ally Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi also sought withdrawal of the new tariff.
Energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav made a statement saying the state goverment had decided to provide subsidy directly to consumers from the next financial year.
“We will study the BERC tariff comprehensively keeping consumers interest in mind and take a decision in the next 2-3 days on the rate of electricity before the new rate becomes operational from April 1, 2017,” Yadav said.
Earlier, 12 BJP MLAs served adjournment notice, but it was turned down by speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary.
The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) had on Friday approved an average 55% hike in power tariff — the highest so far — for 2017-18. The new tariff will be effective from April 1.
READ: 55% increase in Bihar power tariff from Apr 1
In addition to energy charges, the regulator also increased fixed charge of urban domestic consumers. Fixed charge is the connected load, also known as sanctioned load, or just load on electricity bills. Utilities charge more fixed cost for incremental connected load.