Congress, AAP Stage Demo Against APDCL

HT Correspondent

MARGHERITA/JORHAT, June 13: Protests over increasing power tariff allegedly due to mandatory installation of smart meters and regular load-shedding experienced during the scorching summer days have gained momentum in the state.

The members of Margherita Block Congress Committee staged a dharna (sit-in protest) at the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) office in the Margherita electrical sub-division.

The protesters, comprising members and workers of the Margherita Block Congress Committee, raised slogans against the government of Assam.

A protestor stated that it was unfortunate to witness the failure of the present Assam government to fulfil the promises made prior to the elections, resulting in the suffering of the people.

The increase in electricity tariffs, according to him, burdened the general public.

He also criticised the forced installation of smart electricity meters, suggesting that it is a tactic to generate more revenue from the people.

The Margherita Block Congress Committee submitted a memorandum to the assistant general manager of APDCL in this connection.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Jorhat district unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a sit-in demonstration at the APDCL office in Jorhat, demanding the withdrawal of the smart prepaid billing system.

The protestors held placards and shouted slogans against the state PSU, claiming that consumers were being charged significantly more under the prepaid system compared to the previous monthly postpaid system. The protestors emphasized that consumers were adversely affected by the implementation of the prepaid system.

Additionally, the demonstrators also expressed their opposition to the recent hike in electricity tariffs. It seems that they were protesting against both the smart prepaid billing system and the increase in electricity prices in recent times.