BDF demands immediate withdrawal of prepaid meter system and free supply of 200 units of electricity to every customer in Assam

On one hand, citizens are being forced to pay bills twice the amount after the introduction of prepaid bill system, on the other hand, the government has recently decided to increase the electricity tariff from 30 to 70 paise per unit. In a press release, BDF Media Cell Chief Convenor Joydeep Bhattacharjee said that in Delhi, the AAP government is providing free electricity for the first 200 units per household. Similarly, the first 200 units of electricity are being provided free in Punjab. Recently, the Congress government in Karnataka is also fulfilling its promise of providing 200 units of electricity free of cost. Following suit, the Congress government of Rajasthan has also decided to provide 100 units of electricity free to every household. But despite the ‘double engine’ government at the center and the state, residents of Assam are struggling to pay their electricity bills. The efficiency of the Chief Minister of Assam is commendable, he is popular in the entire North East, but he is not interested in providing 200 units of free electricity to the citizens of the state which is surprising.

Joydeep said that like education and health, electricity is also recognised as an essential service in any country. He questioned if free service is provided in the first two cases in Assam then why not in the case of electricity. Therefore, he drew the attention of the Chief Minister and demanded immediate free supply of 200 units of electricity per family.

Joydeep also asked what was the reason behind launching the prepaid meter system without taking any feedback from the customers. He said that the citizens have to now pay twice the amount of the bill after the introduction of prepaid meter system. Those who used to pay 2000 rupees as bill amount earlier have to now pay 4000 rupees but no explanation is given when asked the reason for it. Meanwhile, the power minister recently announced the decision to increase the electricity tariff from 30 to 70 paise per unit and proudly said that this is how the deficit will be met. Joydeep said that people are being gradually pushed into the "agnipariksha" and the result will not be good. If it continues like this, there is bound to be an expression of public anger at any time.

BDF Media Cell Convener Hrishikesh Dey said that they have information that the current Assam government debt amount is Rs 3 lakhs 65000 crore. Next week, the government is forced to take a loan of one thousand crore rupees, otherwise the salaries of the employees will be withheld. He said that probably because of this financial crisis, the government wants to hand over the power distribution system to private hands. And the decision to launch this smart meter and prepaid bill system was in anticipation of that.

Kalparnab Gupta, Chief Convener of BDF Youth Front said that the government has failed to provide proper electricity service in Barak Valley despite taking double or triple bills. The customers of this valley are suffering from frequent load shedding in this summer. Kalparnab said that the government should immediately withdraw the prepaid meter bill system and provide the first 200 units of electricity free of charge and also provide proper service. He apprised that the Barak Democratic Front will be forced to go for a larger movement if an attempt is made for the commodification of an essential service like electricity.

Member Debayan Deb informed this news in a press release on behalf of BDF.