Photo: amar ujala
Opposition has started against the decision of the central government to implement different electricity rates for day and night. The Consumer Council has opened the front calling it a Tughlaqi decree. Uniting other consumer organizations of the country, preparations are on to file a petition from the Regulatory Commission to the Supreme Court.
The Center has introduced two changes in the electricity tariff system through amendments to the Electricity Consumer Rights Rules 2020. There will be a difference in the electricity rate of day and night. This law is set to be implemented from April 1, 2025. With this, 10 to 20 percent cheaper electricity will be given during the day and 10 to 20 percent more expensive electricity at night.
In UP, the Electricity Regulatory Commission has implemented separate tariffs for domestic and industries. President of National Co-ordination Committee of Consumer Organizations and President of State Consumer Council Awadhesh Kumar Verma said that domestic consumers consume 30 percent of their total consumption during the day and 70 percent at night. By showing the benefit of two rupees through this law, there is a preparation to collect five rupees.
He informed that the issue has been discussed with Union Energy Secretary Alok Kumar. He said that this is the national policy. Verma said that the Energy Secretary has been informed that any policy which harms the consumers will not be allowed to be implemented.
Consumer organizations started uniting
Consumer organizations have started uniting as soon as they got information about the amended law of the central government. On Saturday, National Co-ordination Committee President Awadhesh Verma held a virtual meeting with organizations from different states. In this, it was decided that all the consumer councils of all the countries would file a petition in the regulatory commission of their respective states. If needed, a petition will also be filed in the Supreme Court.