FKJGP oppose power hike

SHILLONG, FEB 13: Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has opposed the propose hike in the electricity tariff in the state and demanded on Thursday that the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC) to reconsider its decision to hike the rate.

“We strongly oppose the proposed hike in electricity charges and demand that the decision be reconsidered,” FKJGP East Khasi hills president Elton Warjri said in a letter addressed to the MSERC secretary on Thursday.

As per the public notice issued, the Meghalaya Power Distribution Company Limited (MePDCL) has proposed to hike Domestic (DLT) fixed charges and energy charges from Rs. 35 to Rs. 210 and Rs. 260 to Rs 416 for the first 100 units respectively.

MePDCL has also proposed to hike Commercial (CLT) fixed charges and energy charges from Rs. 70 to Rs. 250 and Rs. 450 to Rs. 608 for the first 100 units respectively. MePCL has also proposed to enhance Kutir Jyoti fixed charges and energy charges from Rs. 80 to Rs. 200.

“Such hike in electricity charges will greatly burden the consumers especially the poorer sections of the society,” Warjri stated.

Stating that the power supply, especially in the rural areas is erratic, Warjri further said that the proposed hike in energy charges is only meant to raise the revenue of the corporation without delivering the services efficiently.

Pointing that of late, Shillong is experiencing load shedding on a regular basis, Warjri said that load shedding at this time of the year with students preparing for their examinations has caused immense hardships to them.- By Our Reporter