The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has come out against the revision of the electricity tariffs in the state, which are likely to drive up power bills of members of the public.
In a letter to Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, the pressure group noted that the recent tariff order made by the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission is to be applied retrospectively from April 1 this year, with outstanding charges to be collected in nine equal instalments from December.
HITO expressed concern regarding the implications of this tariff order on domestic consumers, particularly those whose monthly electricity consumption is less than 200 units.
The organisation said that this demographic, which represents a significant portion of the populace, will face substantial financial strain as a result of these new charges.
It also noted that commercial and industrial consumers will enjoy a reduction in their tariff but argued that it is domestic consumers who should be subsidised.
HITO called for the new tariff system to be put on hold until there are “clear directives from the government regarding the subsidisation of domestic consumers.”
