Puducherry: INDIA bloc calls for bandh on Sept 18 to protest move to privatise power supply

In its ongoing sustained efforts to stop the privatisation of power distribution in the Union Territory of Puducherry, the Congress-led INDIA bloc has now called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on September 18.

The president of the Puducherry Pradesh Congress Committee, V Vaithilingam, and MP (Lok Sabha) from Puducherry said in a release on Monday that the bandh is aimed at protesting against the current decision of the AINRC-BJP coalition ministry in Puducherry to privatise the distribution of power supply. The bandh is also being held to protest the move of the territorial government to introduce pre-paid metres for power supply.

He said that the leaders and cadres of the DMK, communist parties, VCK and others affiliated to INDIA bloc would hold a rally on Tuesday to seek the cooperation of all sections of the people for the successful conduct of the bandh on September 18.

There has been a sustained protest by the Opposition against the proposed move to privatise power distribution in the UnionTerritory.

The effects of privatisation

The INDIA bloc expressed apprehension over the decision to allow private players take up distribution of power supply and said consumers would be held to ransom. They also pointed out that farmers would be deprived of the free power supply and the tariff for all consumers would shoot up.

The INDIA bloc also has been stating that there was no inconvenience now when the department of electricity is supplying the power.

All assets of the department would be placed at the disposal of the private sector if the power supply becomes the prerogative of the private entrepreneurs.

(With input from agencies)