Terming them ‘draconian’ and alleging that they would ‘adversely affect a common man’ Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to all his counterparts heading non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) States against the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003.
The proposed amendments, Mr. Kejriwal alleged, would lead to concentrate ‘all powers’ in the electricity sector in the hands of the Centre, lead to steep and immediate hikes in power tariffs and ‘hasten privatisation of electricity all over the country’ to favour ‘a few companies.’
Immediate steep hike
“I wish to draw your kind attention to the proposed amendments in the Electricity Act, 2003, circulated to all States/UTs… seeking comments on the proposed amendments. The proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, are a matter of serious concern,” the Chief Minister wrote.
“[The amendments] concentrate all powers in electricity sector in the hands of Central government to the exclusion of State governments…Will lead to immediate steep hike in electricity tariffs,” Mr. Kejriwal argued further.
Mr. Kejriwal has written to his counterparts — to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra CM N. Chandra Babu Naidu, Kerala CM P Vijayan, Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, Puducherry’s V. Narayansamy, Tamil Nadu CM EK Palaniswami, Mizoram CM Lal Thanhawla, Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh, Telangana CM K. Chandrashekhar Rao, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, and Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling.
Hasten privatisation
“It appears that the motive of the Central government is to impose and hasten privatisation of electricity all over the country and to favour a few companies. By concentrating all powers with itself, the Centre will be able to do that,” Mr. Kejriwal stated.
Terming it ‘an extremely critical matter’ which had national repercussions, the Chief Minister said, “We all need to get together to ensure that the Central government does not succeed in getting this amendment Bill passed in Parliament. We may also give it wide publicity and make people aware of how these amendments will adversely affect a common man.”
Discuss in detail
Mr. Kejriwal added he would like to personally meet and discuss the issue in detail with each of his addressees at their earliest convenience.