SHILLONG: The FKJGP East Khasi Hills District Unit has strongly opposed the proposed hike in electricity charges. In a memorandum submitted to the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission on Thursday, FKJGP East Khasi Hills District Unit president Elton Warjri said that as per the public notice which appeared in local English dailies, the Meghalaya Power Distribution Company Limited (MePDCL) has proposed to ) hike Domestic (DLT) fixed charges and energy charges from Rs 35 to Rs 210 and Rs 260 to Rs 416 for the first 100 units respectively.
He also said that the MePDCL has also proposed to hike Commercial (CLT) fixed charges and energy charges from Rs 70 to Rs 250 and Rs 450 to Rs 608 for the first 100 units respectively.
“The MePCL has also proposed to enhance Kutir Jyoti fixed charges and energy charges from Rs. 80 to Rs. 200,” Wajri added.
He said that the reason for their objection to the proposed hike in electricity charges is that this will be a burden especially to the poor sections of the society.
“It has also come to our notice that power supply especially in the rural areas is erratic. Therefore, the proposed hike in energy charges is only meant to raise the revenue of the Corporation without delivering the services efficiently,” Wajri said.
Warjri urged upon the Government to reconsider the proposed hike in rate of electricity charges.