Opposition BJP, Cong in Odisha demand rollback of power tariff hike

A day after state power sector regulator approved tariff hike from October 1, opposition BJP and Congress in Odisha on Thursday demanded rollback of move.

Both parties criticised state government for increasing power tariff across categories, barring consumers of agriculture sector and BPL families, during COVID-19 pandemic.

Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) had approved a proposal to hike power tariff by 20 paise per unit of electricity consumed in state from October 1.

Calling government's decision as "unfortunate", Congress MLA S S Saluja said party will raise issue in upcoming monsoon session of assembly which will commence from September 29.

He demanded power tariff hike be scrapped.

"Around 22 per cent of electricity consumed in Odisha is obtained from hydropower and 10 per cent from solar energy.

Taking all power-producing sources, unit cost will t exceed Rs 2.80. Why OERC has increased tariff," senior Congress leader and former finance minister Panchanan Kanungo said.

He also alleged that government has failed to collect dues of about Rs 2,000 crore from power distribution companies (Discoms) and about Rs 4,000 crore from big companies.

BJP activists, led by party's Bhubaneswar organisational district president Babu Singh, std a demonstration in front of OERC office here.

Meanwhile, Odisha's Energy Minister DS Mishra said power tariff has been increased by only four per cent after seven years.