Chhattisgarh: Electricity bills spark political row, Cong says BJP policies burden consumers

The recent increase in electricity bills in Chhattisgarh has sparked a heated debate as the Congress and the BJP clash over electricity tariffs. Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP government of imposing higher electricity tariffs, which is a huge financial burden on consumers.

The Congress staged protests outside the Raipur Electricity Board office, where Baghel criticised the state’s policies. He said electricity tariffs had remained stable under the Congress government, in sharp contrast to the decisions of the current administration.

Protests have spread across the state, with demonstrations at power plants and in public squares. Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij expressed widespread public discontent over rising electricity costs under the BJP government.

He expressed concern over frequent power cuts, stating, “Under the BJP government, electricity surpluses have turned into severe shortages that are significantly affecting day-to-day life.”

Congress leaders, including Baghel, also expressed criticism on social media, pointing out severe power outages and tariff hike, blaming the BJP for neglecting the electricity demand.

The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee has announced statewide protests against power cuts and price hikes. The protests in the capital have been led by leaders such as Deepak Baij and Bhupesh Baghel.

Baghel added, “During our tenure, we ensured uninterrupted power supply, even procuring electricity from other states to meet demand.”Despite the surplus power generation, critics say the BJP’s policies have led to inefficient distribution and higher tariffs. The BJP’s amendments to the Electricity Bill, 2020 could further raise tariffs, affecting consumers’ finances.

Rajeev Chakraborty, spokesperson for Chhattisgarh BJP, attributed the recent increase in electricity tariffs to rising coal prices and transportation costs. He highlighted the ongoing initiatives in Chhattisgarh to modernise the state’s electricity infrastructure, underlining the government’s commitment to improving the convenience and safety of citizens.

Chakraborty assured the public of the government’s commitment to ensuring reliable and competitively priced power services across the state. “We are making significant progress in upgrading the electricity infrastructure to meet the growing demands and ensure uninterrupted power supply to our citizens,” he said.