BJP Protests Erupt Across Jharkhand Over Electricity Issues
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Key Takeaways
Ranchi, April 17 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized widespread protests throughout Jharkhand on Friday, including in Ranchi, to voice their discontent over the unsatisfactory power supply and the recent rise in electricity tariffs.
In response to the party's directive, BJP activists conducted demonstrations and sit-ins outside the offices of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) at various district headquarters, chanting slogans against the state administration.
A significant number of party members assembled outside the JBVNL General Manager’s office located in Kusai Colony, Doranda, in the state capital. The protest was spearheaded by Ranchi MLA C.P. Singh alongside Hatia MLA and party Chief Whip Navin Jaiswal.
During the gathering, speakers addressed critical issues like incessant power outages and alleged billing discrepancies following the installation of smart meters.
While addressing the crowd, MLA C.P. Singh stated that during the sweltering heat in Ranchi, ordinary consumers are enduring extended power failures, while alternative solutions are being provided to privileged groups. He mentioned that the matter had previously been raised in the Assembly but instead of rectifying the situation, the electricity costs were raised.
Hatia MLA, Navin Jaiswal, expressed that both urban and rural consumers are suffering. He claimed that after the switch from traditional meters to smart meters, electricity bills have surged uncontrollably. He noted that despite numerous complaints, no corrective measures have been implemented, leading to disconnections under the guise of overdue payments.
He cautioned that if their demands are not met, the party will escalate its protests in the upcoming days.
Following the directives from state president Aditya Sahu, BJP members also demonstrated in other districts led by local leaders including Neelkanth Singh Munda and Sunita Singh in Khunti, Sudarshan Bhagat and Dinesh Oraon in Gumla, Praveen Singh in Lohardaga, Purnima Das in Jamshedpur, Alok Chaurasia in Palamu, Satyendra Tiwari in Garhwa, Dr. Neera Yadav in Koderma, Raj Sinha in Dhanbad, Dilip Verma in Bokaro, Randhir Singh in Jamtara, Narayan Das in Deoghar, Amit Mandal in Godda, Sunil Soren in Dumka, and Amrit Pandey in Pakur.