Revoke the licence of Reliance Energy: Rane

Industries minister Narayan Rane on Friday urged chief minister Ashok Chavan to revoke the license of Reliance Energy (Anil Dhirubai Ambani Group) following complains from consumers about rampant irregularities and steep hike in electricity bills. The company has license to distribute electricity in suburbs.

In a letter to Chavan, Rane pointed to unrest among the people. “Consumers in suburbs whose bill was Rs400-500 a couple of years ago were made to shell out Rs1,400-1,500. From this year, the bill has risen to Rs2,400-2,500.” He said when consumers complained against the bills, company officials misbehaved with them.

His missive comes after Shiv Sena members protested on the streets against the steep hike in electricity bills and ahead of the assembly elections, due in September.

A senior official in the chief minister’s office said Chavan has gone through the letter and will discuss the matter with the department concerned before taking any action.