Within days of Congress coming to power in Karnataka, traders and businesses have taken to the streets to protest against the hike in electricity tariffs. According to reports, traders and people associated with small industries took out rallies in many areas of the state on Thursday to protest against the recent hike in electricity rates. The bandh was called by the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) of Hubli. A large number of traders and small businessmen joined the protest.
There has been an increase of Rs 2.89 per unit
The protest over the increased electricity rates comes at a time when the state government this week announced 200 units of electricity free of cost to residential electricity connections under the ‘Griha Jyoti’ scheme. Days after the scheme was announced, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission on June 5 increased electricity rates by Rs 2.89 per unit. Traders and businessmen took out marches in the district headquarters with banners, posters and placards in hand to protest against the hike. They marched to Hubli-Dharwad, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Bellary, Vijayanagara, Davangere and Koppal among other places.
‘Electricity rates have increased by 50-70 percent’
Traders are demanding the government to withdraw the hike in electricity rates. A large number of traders and businessmen marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Belagavi with banners and placards. KCCI acting president Sandeep Bidasaria has claimed that there has been an increase of 50-70 per cent in electricity tariffs. This will affect small industries badly.
Siddaramaiah said, the fee will not be reduced
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said on Sunday that he would convene a meeting of industrialists to discuss these concerns. The Chief Minister said that there is no point in this ruckus as the electricity bills are going to be reduced from next month. Siddaramaiah said that some people were finding the electricity bill high as they had received the bill for two months. He said, ‘The fee will not be reduced. It seems more as 2 months bill was given. Billing will be given every month from next month. After this the amount of the bill will be reduced.
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