Maharashtra may cut power tariff, review road toll policy

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday indicated the state government was moving towards reducing power tariff and reviewing the toll tax policy - both issues that generated stiff public opposition over the past few days.

He said the government had appointed a sub-committee, headed by Industry Minister Narayan Rane in November 2013, to look into power tariff and related issues.

"It has submitted its report on the issue of giving further subsidy and an announcement will be made on January 20," Chavan told mediapersons here during a visit to the state's second capital.

On toll tax, Chavan said the ministry concerned had been directed to prepare a detailed report in the wake of the ongoing protests.

While the state transport buses run by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation plying outside city limits will be exempted from paying toll, other issues were being examined.

The demand to reduce power tariff gained momentum after the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi announced major relief to the people of the national capital territory.

In the past few days, the state government has faced demands and agitations from Mumbai Congress MPs like Sanjay Nirupam and Priya Dutt for reduction of power tariff .

Similarly, parties, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, the Shiv Sena and others, have opposed the toll tax, with several agitations, including in Kolhapur last week and in Thane Thursday.

The state government's decisions on these contentious issues will be of significance in view of the looming Lok Sabha elections followed by the assembly elections in the third quarter of this year.