Ahead of polls, MNS plays power politics

After a series of assaults on North Indians, taxi men and autos, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is all set to take on Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). Mahadiscom power tariff hike proposal has become the bone of contention for the political party ahead of civic body elections in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. The issue can attract middle class voters towards the party ahead of the elections in various municipal corporations.

Mahadiscom has proposed 40% hike in the power tariff. As per the proposal, customers using up to 100 units of electricity will have to pay Rs4 per unit instead of Rs2.86. After taking into account the proposed increase in fixed charges, the effective tariff hike for consumers who use up to 100 units is 55%.

MNS general secretary Shirish Sawant told DNA that the families that use up to 100 units of electricity per month are mostly poor and the middle-class. “The real sufferer from this tariff hike will be the middle class. At a time when we are suffering from tremendous inflation, this hike will completely destroy the budget of a common man and hence we firmly oppose this hike,” he said.

He said if efforts are taken to curb power theft, the power hike won’t be required at all.