From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sep 24: The abrupt adjournment of the State Legislature Session was a ploy by the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government for sudden increase in the power tariff by different energy supply companies (ESCOMS) soon after curtailing the session, alleged JD(S) floor leader in the Assembly and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday.
“Instead of extending greetings to the people before the Navaratri festival, the Bommai government has administered a current shock to the people by going in for a hike in the power tariff by 24 to 43 paise per unit, which is totally unnecessary and condemnable,’’ he said.
Kumaraswamy said the third hike in power tariff on the pretext of fuel adjustment charges is totally unwarranted and the explanation by the Energy Minister V Sunil Kumar that the fuel adjustment charges has made the hike inevitable due to increase in the coal prices is completely unconvincing.
The former Chief Minister said the government claim that power purchase cost has jumped by Rs 1,244 crore is unbelievable in view of the bountiful rains and all the hydel reservoirs being full.
“The BJP government is interested in protecting vested interests in the energy sector at the cost of consumers,’’ he said pointing out that the government’s attempts to fire at the people by holding the gun on the ESCOMs cannot be accepted.
The JD(S) leader alleged that the BJP rule in the State is totally anti-people and the latest hike in power tariff, the third this year soon after the recent increase in July, is proof of the callousness of the government.
The double-engine BJP rule is completely anti-people, he said alleging that the government has not passed the benefits of lowering of international crude oil prices to the consumers and has kept the prices of the petroleum products at unrealistic high levels. The BJP government in the State is also following the Delhi model by the power tariff hike, he said.
“If the government is really interested in safeguarding the interests of the people, steps could have been taken to curb the power pilferage, leakage and by adopting the latest technology. The BJP rule is more interested in filling up the pockets of the rich and affluent by hurting the interests of the poor and middle classes,’’ he added.