Consumers protest power tariff hike

Venting ire: Members of the Human Rights and Consumer Protection Society throw old appliances into the Electricity Department office in Puducherry on Friday.

Venting ire: Members of the Human Rights and Consumer Protection Society throw old appliances into the Electricity Department office in Puducherry on Friday.   | Photo Credit: S_S_KUMAR

Say their objections were overlooked

PUDUCHERRY

Various consumer federation societies on Friday staged a protest in front of the Electricity Department office against the increase in power tariff.

As part of their protest against the hike, residents dumped old consumer durables on the premises of the Electricity Department office.

Executive secretary of Human Rights and Consumer Protection Society R. Muruganantham said civil society members, during a hearing by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) last year, raised objections to frequent power tariff increase.

Instead of increasing tariff, the society suggested measures such as collecting pending bills and checking power transmission loss to improve the financial situation of the department.

‘Increase uncalled for’

This is the second increase in the last three years and it was uncalled for, he said.

If the government failed to withdraw the increase, the society would mobilise residents and organise a massive protest, he said.

As per a recent JERC order, the rate of electricity charges for consumption of up to 100 units (domestic service) has been increased to ₹1.40 a unit from ₹1.10 unit.