Opposition parties reacted bitterly to Wednesday’s “sharp rise” in the electricity tariff and demanded that the state government immediately roll back the tariff to relieve commoners.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) National Chairman, N. Chandrababu Naidu, addressing the party workers, criticized Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for choosing to impose a ‘huge unbearable burden’ on the people by carrying out once again a sharp increase in electricity prices.

He called on all sections of society to condemn “the unilateral increase in electricity tariffs”.

Mr. Naidu also urged people to oppose the attachment of meters to agricultural engines, which he said was tantamount to tying the noose around the necks of farmers.

The TDP, he said, would fight against the sharp rise in electricity tariffs.

‘False promises’

In his statement, TDP National General Secretary N. Lokesh alleged that Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy had become the brand ambassador for “false promises”.

“The increase in electricity prices was a blow for the population this summer. By removing several categories and introducing six slabs, the government has given the common man a severe jolt. The electricity tariff will now increase by 45 paise per unit below 30 units, 91 paise between 31 and 75 units and ₹1.40 between 76 and 125 units. The increase will be ₹1.57 per unit between 126 and 225 units, ₹1.16 between 226 and 400 units and 55 paise for over 400 units,” Mr Lokesh said.

“This is enough to show how the YSRCP government is punishing people for giving it a chance,” the TDP leader said.

“Huge Burden”

The left-wing parties – the CPI(M), the CPI, the CPI-ML (New Democracy), the MCPI(U), the SUCI(C), the Front Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party – have called for a statewide protest against rising electricity rates.

CPI Secretary of State K. Ramakrishna, CPI(M) Secretary of State V. Srinivasa Rao and other party leaders said the increase in electricity tariffs would impose a burden of ₹4,300 crore to the people.

“Consumers, who have paid ₹43.50 for 30 units until now, will now have to pay ₹57, a charge of around 31% for the poor. The hike will impose a 40% charge on people consuming 75 units. In contrast, consumers paying ₹2,345 per month for 400 units consumed will have to pay ₹2,548 per month under the new slab,” they said.

Left-leaning parties said they would hold protests across the state on Thursday.

AICC Secretary Gidugu Rudraraju in a statement said the state government had already imposed charges on the people on garbage, property tax and municipal and registration taxes. The government had spared no effort to overwhelm the people.

“Now, with rising electricity tariffs, those consuming less than 100 units and the middle classes consuming between 200 and 300 units will be hit the hardest,” he said.