Congress Demands Free Electricity for Farmers and Households in Odisha

The Congress party has called for significant changes to electricity policies in Odisha, demanding the complete withdrawal of additional security deposits (ASD) for domestic power consumers and free electricity for agricultural use. During a press conference on November 3, 2023, Bhakta Charan Das, president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), urged the state government to provide 300 units of free power to all domestic consumers.

Das criticized Tata Power for imposing additional security deposits on domestic users, stating that residents of Odisha are among the most exploited power consumers in India. He highlighted that the state generates electricity at a low cost utilizing its coal and water resources. “Domestic power consumers in Odisha are the most exploited and neglected in the entire country,” he said.

Four power distribution companies in Odisha have implemented these additional security deposits, which Das argues disproportionately affects domestic users. He pointed to other states, such as Punjab, which imports coal from Odisha yet waives electricity charges for agricultural consumers and provides 300 units of free power to domestic users.

Das detailed that only 2 percent of total power consumption in Odisha is allocated to agriculture, while domestic users account for 7 to 8 percent. The majority of power consumption is attributed to industrial users. “Still, not a single unit of free power has been provided to farmers and domestic consumers,” he asserted.

He proposed that if necessary, the government could consider raising power tariffs for industries to facilitate the provision of free electricity to both agricultural and domestic consumers. “A slight increase in tariff can ensure free electricity for all domestic and agricultural consumers in the state,” Das commented.

As part of their campaign, Congress supporters plan to demonstrate on December 29, 2023, by locking down electricity offices across Odisha to press their demands. This move underscores the party’s commitment to advocating for the rights of power consumers in the state.

The call for such reforms reflects ongoing concerns about electricity pricing and accessibility in Odisha, with the Congress party positioning itself as a champion for the rights of both farmers and domestic electricity users.