01-08-2025
CPI(M) calls for protest on August 5 against ‘true-up charges' burden
The CPI(M) State Committee has opposed the proposed additional ₹12,771 crore power tariff burden under the true-up charges, and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The party appealed to the people to participate in the Statewide protests under the banner of Praja Vedika on August 5.
In a statement on Friday, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said that despite claims by the government that there would be no hike in power charges, the distribution companies had submitted proposals to the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) seeking to impose the massive burden for the retail supply deficit from 2019–20 to 2023–24. He accused the government of being complicit, and demanded that should intervene and halt the process.
He also pointed out that over the past 36 months, ₹3,000 crore had already been collected for the 2014–19 true-up period. Since the coalition government assumed power, it had imposed ₹15,485 crore in fuel surcharge adjustment charges for 2022–23 and 2023–24, and an additional ₹2,787 crore in 2024–25 alone at a rate of 40 paise per unit per month. The upcoming rollout of smart meters would further increase consumer burden, he warned.
He criticised the coalition parties for breaking their electoral promise of reducing power tariffs and accused them of shifting the financial burden of mismanagement and corporate corruption onto common consumers.
