Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Saturday said that he will be taking out a rally as a protest in front of Reliance office in Mumbai if they did not agree on the three demands made to reduce the price of electricity.
"On 13th January we are going to take out a rally against Reliance to fulfill three of our demands. First is the fixed charge of rupees hundred in the bill needs to be stopped," said Nirupam.
"Secondly in the name of regulatory assets which is basically the infrastructure that Reliance provides, they charge consumers using more than 500 units over rupees 600 which also needs to be stopped," he said.
"Thirdly, the electronic meters imported from China are faulty and therefore they will have to change them. Also, when the meters will be replaced they cannot put that expense on the people and so they will have to share it," he added.
He further said that the private companies could not put the entire load on the governement and therefore needed to compromise.
Apparently inspired by the Delhi Government, which slashed the electricity rates by 50 percent, Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam had on Wednesday stressed that Maharashtra government should reduce the rates in Mumbai.
Addressing a press conference, Sanjay Nirupam said: "We had gone both to the Ministry and power companies, but they always say that the rate of electricity is decided by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission. But the Delhi government didn't consult with the DERC (Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission) while slashing the electricity rates.
Nirupam said that he has demanded that those consuming less than 500 units of electricity should be given a relief and tariff should be reduced for such people.
"If the Delhi Government can do this, then I am sure Maharashtra Government can also do this. That's why I have written to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. I have demanded that the benefit from the subsidies should reach the consumers and not the companies," he said.
He added that if his demand for reduction in electricity tariff is not met, then he would launch an agitation against the government. He also demanded that an inquiry be set up to investigate the cost structure and pricing mechanism adopted by power distribution companies.
Nirupam also said that for the last couple of years, the citizens of Mumbai are upset. In last three or four years, the rates of electricity have increased three fold.
On Tuesday, Kejriwal had announced 50% cut in power tariff on lower slabs, delivering his second pre-poll promise, after fulfilling his commitment of free water supply to every household, within four days of assuming power.
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