Opposition attacks govt for hike in electricity tariff

Agartala, Aug 19 (UNI) The Congress today charged the Tripura government with hiking electricity tariff which led to the closure of 687 small scale industries.

Speaking to mediapersons leader of Opposition Ratan Lal Nath said the electricity tariff was increased by 115 per cent after the Manik Sarkar government took charge.

''The total increase in electricity tariff in the last four years after Manik Sarkar took over as the Chief Minister is 115%. Due to the hike in electricity tariff, 33,790 families have not been able to pay the electricity bill,'' he said.

The opposition leader said the transmission and distribution loss in Tripura is 24.41% in spite of a Supreme Court ruling which clearly mentions that transmission and distribution loss could not exceed 14%.

''Out of the total population of 32 lakhs in the state only 17 lakh avail of electricity. The total population in the Autonomous District Council (ADC) is 9.96 lakhs of which only 1,55966 families use electricity. Many genuine Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders do not get electricity,'' accused Mr. Nath.

He said the 'telescopic system' followed by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) is of great disadvantage.

''The slab system followed earlier was much better,'' he opined.

Giving details of the total power required in the state, Mr Nath said the total demand in the state is 160-162 MW. The state gets only 102-115 MW. He further added that only 67-70 MW power is produced in the state. ''47-58 MW more power is required in the peak hours,'' said the leader of the opposition.

''The Manik Sarkar-led CPI (M) government is cheating the common man. The policy followed by the state government is depriving the people of their basic rights,'' he rued.

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