The Hindu : Power tariff hike: consumers plan protest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Power tariff hike: consumers plan protest

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Aug. 9. Consumer activists, the Chamber of Commerce, the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation and city residents have expressed concern over the proposal to hike power charges. The general feeling is that the proposed hike will add further burden to the common man and have a bearing on the theatres.

According to S.Chandran, president of the chamber of commerce and chairman of the federation, the small traders and `B' and `C' class theatres will be forced to down shutters if the charge goes up. The small merchants and the theatres are finding the going tough even now, Mr.Chandran said.

The Central Government should be more liberal to the State. Instead of comparing Kerala with other States, the Centre should help to tide over the crisis. Mr.Chandran said that the federation would meet the Chief Minister, A.K.Antony, next week to discuss the issue.

The Consumer Protection Council of Kerala founder general secretary, K.G.M.Nair, has demanded the Government to withdraw the proposed hike. The UDF Government, since its inception, has taken several steps, which have increased the financial burden of the 65 lakh consumers in the State. The power charge was increased by 25 per cent in August last. The introduction of meter hire will cause an additional burden of Rs.10 crore on the consumers, he said.

The proposed hike will double the power bill of the ordinary consumer.

The council has urged the Chief Minister, A.K.Antony, and the Power Minister, Kadavoor Sivadasan, to give up the idea to increase the tariff failing which the council will launch a sustained agitation against the Government.

The Federation of Residents Associations has said that the proposal without the knowledge of the Cabinet was unilateral.

The president, T.A.John, and the general secretary, Punchakkary G.Raveendran Nair, said the Kerala State Electricity Board was acting in a dictatorial manner. No political party with public commitment can act in such a way.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Owners of Internet cafes on warpath

Power tariff hike: consumers plan protest

Builders ordered to refund money

Curbs on planting valuable trees to be removed

City residents cautioned against burglars