All Assam Electricity Consumers Association Launches Signature Campaign to Address State's Power Woes

Reported by: Samdipto Chakravarti

Silchar, Assam - 01/09/2023: In the face of persistent power outages plaguing the state, the All Assam Electricity Consumers Association's Assam State Committee initiated a public signature campaign today, demanding urgent solutions to Assam's electricity woes. The campaign was officially inaugurated by Haridas Datta, a distinguished member of the committee, outside the APDCL office in Panpati, Silchar.

The event garnered participation from notable figures, including Sadhan Purkayastha, Co-Chairman of the organization, Atanu Bhattacharya, former Municipal Commissioner and Secretary of the District Sports Association, and representatives from various cultural and social organizations. These individuals united in their concern for Assam's electricity issues and pledged support for the campaign.

Subrat Chandra Nath, a prominent member and former teacher, elucidated the campaign's purpose, highlighting the pressing concerns. He emphasized that electricity is indispensable to modern life, yet recent government actions threaten its accessibility and affordability. Nath pointed to the privatization of the power sector, soaring electricity bills, and the adverse effects of prepaid smart meters as key issues.

Furthermore, Nath lamented the weakening of state-owned power production entities and the increasing burden on ordinary consumers due to privatization efforts. He cautioned that the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022, currently in Parliament, could further exclude the common people from affordable electricity access if passed into law.

The campaign encourages widespread participation to address these concerns and safeguard the interests of Assam's electricity consumers.

Similar initiatives are simultaneously underway in various locations, including Guwahati, Nalbari, Dhubri, Goalpara, Tezpur, Mangaldoi, Lakshimpur, Karimganj, and Hailakandi, echoing the call for change in the power sector. In Guwahati, the State Branch of the All Assam Electricity Consumers Association unveiled the inaugural issue of "Electricity Consumer News," further emphasizing the collective commitment to addressing electricity-related challenges.

As Assam grapples with power shortages, this campaign seeks to empower citizens and draw attention to the urgent need for reform in the state's electricity sector.