Protest March in Bishramganj Demands Withdrawal of Additional Electricity Charges, Halt to Privatisation
The programme was organised by the association’s Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Committee and began around 12 noon at Bishramganj Bazar. After the march, members held a street meeting at Bishramganj Motor Stand before submitting a memorandum to the Additional General Manager of the Sepahijala District Electricity Circle.
Charilam, November 5: The Electricity Consumers and Employees Welfare Association organised a protest march, street meeting and deputation programme at Bishramganj on Thursday, pressing for the withdrawal of additional charges on electricity bills, an end to alleged harassment in the name of smart and prepaid meters, and an immediate halt to the proposed privatisation of the state power utility.
The programme was organised by the association’s Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Committee and began around 12 noon at Bishramganj Bazar. After the march, members held a street meeting at Bishramganj Motor Stand before submitting a memorandum to the Additional General Manager of the Sepahijala District Electricity Circle.
Those present included association State Secretary Natraj Dutta, Bishalgarh Sub-Divisional Committee President Harishankar Debnath, Secretary Dipak Pal, and leaders Ranbir Roy, Bipin Debbarma and Dulan Hazari.
In the memorandum, the association demanded an immediate halt to the privatisation process of the state power utility and the withdrawal of fixed charges, fuel charges and duty charges from electricity bills. It also called for the immediate withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025, an end to recruitment through outsourcing in the state power utility, and the abolition of the franchise system. The association further demanded effective measures to prevent power theft and an end to additional tariffs imposed in the name of smart meters, as well as alleged consumer harassment linked to prepaid meters.
Meanwhile, the street meeting was disrupted when BJP candidates contesting the Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat election were passing through the area on their way to file nomination papers. According to the association members, loudspeakers fitted to the candidates’ vehicles made it difficult to continue the meeting. As a result, the organisers had to conclude the programme within just five minutes before proceeding to the electricity circle office to submit their memorandum.
The Additional General Manager assured the delegation that its demands would be forwarded to the higher authorities.