Bhopal, March 27 – The Madhya Pradesh Congress has launched a strong attack on the ruling BJP government, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the proposed increase in electricity tariffs and relief for consumers.
The president of the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress, Jitu Patwari, criticized the government's decision to increase electricity tariffs by 4.80% from April 1, calling it a "direct attack on the pockets of ordinary people."
He pointed out that electricity tariffs in Madhya Pradesh have already increased by 22-24% over the past decade, with domestic consumers facing steep increases in the 0-50 unit slab.
He also highlighted the additional monthly burden of the Fuel and Power Purchase Adjustment Surcharge (FPPAS), which he termed a hidden tax on consumers. Patwari questioned why the losses of electricity distribution companies are repeatedly cited as justification without accountability, alleging that mismanagement and corruption are being passed on to the public.
He dismissed the government's touted 20% concession on daytime EV charging as a "policy charade," arguing that it only benefits a small fraction of consumers while the majority continue to suffer.
He added that farmers are already struggling with debt and crop failures, and the proposed increase would further exacerbate their distress.
The power tariff increase will be effective from April 1 this year. In separate communications, senior Congress leader Kunal Chaudhary, AICC Secretary and former MLA, and state Congress president Jitu Patwari accused the government of imposing unjust financial burdens on ordinary citizens and farmers.
Chaudhary, in his letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, urged the government to extend the March 28 deadline for agricultural loan repayment, noting that wheat harvesting is incomplete and farmers have not yet sold their produce. He warned that forcing repayment now would trap cultivators in debt.
He also demanded the waiver of punitive interest charges of nearly 18% and criticized coercive electricity bill recovery drives, calling them "inhumane and undemocratic".
Both leaders warned that the increase would worsen inflation, hurt small industries, and directly burden farmers, even as the government celebrates a "special year" for them.
Patwari demanded the withdrawal of the increase, a transparent review of surcharges, an independent inquiry into utility losses, and a relief package for the poor and middle class.
The Congress has signaled that if the government does not reverse the decision, it will launch a statewide agitation "from the streets to the legislative assembly".