A week ago, the power company snapped supply to Banaram’s modest dwelling in Tigri Colony here for non-payment of dues. On Saturday, Banaram, a labourer who was asked to pay Rs. 15,000 as power dues, beamed at the flashing cameras as anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal took over, reconnected the power lines and restored electricity supply to his house.
With this, Mr. Kejriwal kicked off the ‘Bijli-Paani Satyagraha’, a civil disobedience movement to persuade the Delhi government to roll back power and water tariffs.
“Banaram was issued a bill for Rs. 15, 000 for using a television, [a] refrigerator, two coolers, two fans and eight light bulbs over two months. How can one run up a bill that high and how can a labourer, who earns a few thousands a month, be asked to pay so much?” Mr. Kejriwal questioned.
The ‘Bijli-Paani Satyagraha’, Mr. Kejriwal said, was a fight against “inflated” utility bills, but the Delhi government was quick to term it “unlawful” and called for legal action against Mr. Kejriwal and his India Against Corruption team.
While the power distribution company BSES, responsible for snapping Banaram’s power supply, refused to comment, Delhi’s Power Minister Haroon Yusuf slammed Mr. Kejriwal’s behaviour and demanded legal action.
Team Kejriwal undaunted
But Team Kejriwal remained undaunted. Reacting to the government’s views, it assured the people that it was ready to face penal action and even go to jail for restoring power connections that had been suspended for non-payment of dues.
Mr, Kejriwal accused the Delhi government of allowing escalation of tariffs that in turn have led to a sharp increase in power and water charges. “If Sheila Dikshit [Chief Minister] has decided to harass the people, we are also committed to reducing the suffering of the people. If I have sinned by getting Banaram’s household an electrical connection, I am ready to face his punishment. I will continue to help Delhi's troubled people until the government withdraws the increased electricity prices,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
“While the rich and the powerful owe huge amounts to power companies, their connections are not suspended.”
Keywords: India Against Corruption, bijli-paani satyagraha, Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan, Team Kejriwal, DLF properties, Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi
He is present day's Robinhood
arvind is starting a sort of revolution,i am joining him
A clan of jokers to a bunch of conniving thieves. The theatre of the absurd refuses to
show its final scene with hungry characters vying for one last desperate attempt at
their 15 minutes of television fame. And in the process collecting crores from
donations from unknown people & filling in their coffers. Long live democracy, i
guess these are the new baba' & saints in todays times to fool people
Dear Arvindji, it is strongly appeal to you, team, & people of delhi, focus on your right as azad nagrik of azad bharat, samayki demand hai ab tak hamejinho ne chusa hai unko mahal se uthake jail me dalo,
india has to be real india, what Great Gandhi(mahatmaji, sardar patel ) had thought of, this stupid, cunning politicians have surely cheated, betrayed worst then britishers, so go to jail as "bapu said for your rights.
we other states people are with you, fight till congress goes of this country.
great job ,youth of the nation is with you.
its the right move made by kejriwal and his team.we are with him and
will support him in this movement. india really needs something like
this.congress is acting like the britishers ......... we are the ones
who need to take the initiative and we will do it for our
country.........
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