RJD's Bhai Virendra: Smart Meters Burdening Citizens Financially
Click to start listening
Patna, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Opposition in Bihar, spearheaded by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra, has amplified its denunciation of the government's plan to implement smart meters.
During the fourth day of the Winter Session of the Bihar Assembly on Thursday, the Opposition leaders called for a reversal of the decision, accusing the government of financially exploiting the public and alleging corruption in the process.
Bhai Virendra asserts that the deployment of smart meters is “burdening the public financially”, indicating that these devices have resulted in inflated electricity bills and operational difficulties for average citizens.
“Both the state and Central governments are engaged in a corrupt arrangement regarding the smart meter project. This raises concerns about the transparency and intent behind the initiative,” Bhai Virendra stated.
The Opposition is advocating for more vigorous protests and has indicated that their resistance to this policy would intensify if the government fails to take action.
“The state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has been a passive observer amid the public's grievances, exacerbating the situation,” he remarked.
The Opposition, which includes the RJD, Left parties, and the Congress, organized demonstrations against the smart meters, labeling them ineffective and demanding their retraction.
Slogans such as “Put the smart meter in jail” underscored the depth of their dissatisfaction, resonating both inside and outside the state Assembly.
In contrast, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha defended the government's stance, asserting, “The challenges associated with smart meters are being systematically addressed. These meters are integral to initiatives aimed at providing affordable electricity. In a pointed criticism of the RJD, whose electoral symbol is a lantern,” he remarked, “The oil of their lantern has finished, and the lantern is broken.”
State BJP President Dilip Jaiswal also dismissed the Opposition's concerns, accusing them of stirring unrest out of despair.
He reiterated the government's position, claiming that smart meters are reducing electricity bills and will not be discontinued.
The Opposition contends that the government is neglecting to address the practical issues stemming from the smart meters, while the government maintains that the initiative is a move towards enhancing electricity management and transparency.
