Patna, April 3 Congress activists held a protest here on Friday against the Bihar government's Time of Day power tariff scheme and the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders across the state.
Protestors also burned an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Income Tax Golambar here as part of the demonstration.
The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) recently approved the ToD tariff scheme, as demanded by power distribution companies.
The BERC has divided the 24 hours into three consumption periods: 9 am to 5 pm, classified as off-peak hours; 5 pm to 11 pm as peak time; and 11 pm to 9 am as normal load hours.
The rates in the differential pricing mechanism increase from off-peak to peak hours.
Speaking to reporters here, state Congress president Rajesh Ram said, "We are protesting against the Bihar government's decision to increase electricity rates, as well as the shortage of LPG cylinders."
He claimed that 2.21 crore electricity consumers, including 1.88 crore domestic power purchasers, are involved in the movement.
"After promising 125 units of free electricity per month, the government is now imposing a 'Tughlaqi' burden on consumers starting April 1. Under the ToD scheme, electricity rates will increase by 10 per cent to 20 per cent after 5 pm," he claimed.
Ram alleged that the Bihar government raised the tariff during peak hours to generate more revenue from people.
"Amid a massive shortage of LPG cylinders, the state government has raised electricity prices in the evening when most families cook food. While it claims to provide 125 units of free electricity per month to consumers, it is charging a higher tariff to mop up revenues multiple times more than what is foregone," the Congress state unit chief said.
Ram alleged that the government is "acting with a spirit of revenge against people after stealing their votes".
He sarcastically coined a term, 'Le Paoge Gas' (Will you be able to get cooking gas cylinders) for LPG.
The Congress state president also accused the government of diverting people's attention from crucial issues, such as the Nalanda stampede, the alleged assault of a girl in the same district, and 'hooch' deaths across the state.
"While 'gunda raj' is established, the government is only interested in political maneuvering and the trading of MLAs rather than addressing the concerns of the public," he alleged.
