CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal / Raipur: The Congress party staged a strong protest in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur on Saturday, opposing the recent electricity tariff hike. Party workers gathered outside the CSPDCL (Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited) office in Budhapara and burned copies of power bills in a symbolic demonstration of public anger.
State Congress President Deepak Baij held a press conference accusing the BJP-led Sai government of hiking electricity prices for the fourth time in just 18 months. “This is daylight robbery from people’s pockets. When the BJP ruled from 2003 to 2018, electricity rates for domestic users rose from ₹3.30 to ₹6.40 per unit. Even in the election year, they reduced it by only ₹0.20,” Baij said.
He contrasted this with the previous Congress government’s record, claiming that over five years, the net increase in tariff was merely ₹0.02. “We gave over ₹3240 crore in subsidies, halved the bills for over 65 lakh domestic consumers, gave farmers free electricity up to 5 HP, and offered BPL families 40 units free,” Baij added.
Baij also criticized the current government for power cuts and escalating bills, despite the state having abundant coal, water, and land. “Why are the people of Chhattisgarh being forced to buy electricity at higher rates when all resources are ours?” he questioned.
The Congress plans to escalate its agitation across the state in phases, targeting what it describes as “anti-people” electricity policies of the BJP.
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