GUWAHATI/NALBARI, Nov 7: Units of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) staged protests across Assam on Saturday against the increase in electricity charges and demanded an immediate rollback of the revised tariffs.
In Guwahati, members of student organisations demonstrated near Shaheed Bhawan in Uzan Bazaar and burnt an effigy of the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).
“The government has failed to consider the impact of the decision on ordinary consumers. We would intensify our agitation if the revised charges were not withdrawn,” All Guwahati Students Union president Kamal Mahanta said.
Similar programmes were held in Ghograpar, Bokajan, Kalaigaon and several other parts of the state following AASU’s statewide call. Protesters said the increase would add to the financial pressure on households already facing rising prices of essential commodities.
In Ghograpar, the regional students’ union, along with members of the All Nalbari District Students’ Union, opposed the tariff revision. District unit assistant general secretary Hirak Jyoti Sharma appealed to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene and direct the department to withdraw the decision. Around 50 students took part in the protest.
In Bokajan, protesters raised concerns over smart meters and the additional fuel charge of five paise per unit. They questioned APDCL’s explanation that the additional collection was intended to recover revenue losses incurred during the floods. A protester referred to the reported Rs 155.59 crore loss attributed to errors and alleged poor planning by APDCL officials, and questioned why consumers should bear the cost.
In Kalaigaon, the regional AASU unit blocked the Mangaldoi-Bhutiachang road. Demonstrators demanded withdrawal of the revised charges and warned of a larger democratic movement if the decision was not revoked.
Sarma had said on November 3 that the tariff hike was temporary and would be withdrawn once APDCL recovered its losses. He said the increase would not exceed five paise per unit. The revision, approved by the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission, came into effect this month and was scheduled to remain in force for five months.
