Statewide protest by Assam Electricity Consumers Association against electricity crisis: Consumers demand immediate solutions
Assam Electricity Consumers Association Raises Voice Against Continuous Load Shedding and Uninterrupted Power Supply Issues
SILCHAR, May 31, 2024 - The All Assam Electricity Consumers Association's Assam State Branch has called for statewide protests against the incessant power outages and erratic billing practices, culminating in exorbitant electricity bills month after month.
Led by the Cachar District Coordination Committee, the protest saw participation from various regions including Guwahati, Nalbari, Goalpara, Dhubri, Mangaldoi, Tezpur, Lakhipur, Dhemaji, Karimganj, and Hailakandi, echoing the grievances of consumers across the state.
The protesters gathered at the APDCL office in Panpara, Silchar, demanding immediate resolution of the longstanding issues.
In a memorandum submitted to the Chairman of APDCL, Mr. A.G.M. Aarup Paul, representatives of the association, including Nandadulal Saha, Kamal Chakraborty, Champalal Das, Arindam Deb, Subrata Kar, Khadeza Begum Laskar, and Apun Lal Das, highlighted the detrimental effects of power disruptions on the populace, particularly during the scorching summer days when temperatures soar above 39-40 degrees Celsius.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Mr. A.G.M. Aarup Paul stated that despite assurances from the Assam government of uninterrupted power supply 24 hours a day, consumers continue to face irregularities in electricity provision.
Moreover, they are burdened with inflated electricity bills without receiving consistent power supply. He emphasized that consumers are also suffering due to low voltage issues, exacerbating their plight.
Mr. A.G.M. Aarup Paul attributed the power supply disruptions to technical problems originating from Guwahati, including issues with transformers and overloaded systems.
He reassured the aggrieved consumers that efforts would be made to swiftly resolve these issues.
The protest at Silchar, along with similar demonstrations across the state, aimed to draw attention to the inefficiency and malpractices of APDCL. Despite police presence attempting to deter the protesters, they remained steadfast in their demands.
Additionally, the state branch's coordinators, Ajay Acharya and Hillol Bhattacharya, condemned APDCL's billing practices, emphasizing that consumers are being financially exploited due to the department's negligence and incompetence.
They called for a comprehensive overhaul of the electricity distribution sector and urged the public to join their movement for reform.
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