Slamming the Government for frequent power cuts in Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday demanded retraction of the recent price hike imposed on commercial and residential electricity across the State.

Addressing media persons in a candle lit conference hall on Tuesday in Ranchi, JMM’s General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya criticised the Government for its alleged apathy towards people suffering due to load shedding in cities. “After making electricity dearer, the Government has done nothing to address the problem of frequent power cuts in the cities. JMM demands immediate retraction of the price hike imposed on commercial and residential electricity,” Bhattacharya said.

In the month of March, the Government increased power tariff from Rs.5.50 per unit to Rs.6.25 per unit for residents of urban Jharkhand. Rural consumers, who were paying Rs.4.75 per unit, are now paying Rs.5.75 per unit. Commercial consumers, in both rural and urban areas, who have been paying Rs 5.25 and Rs 6 per unit respectively, will now have to pay Rs 6 and Rs 6.25 per unit.

Bhattacharya on Tuesday blamed the “double engine” Government of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the sorry state of affairs in power supply here.

He also claimed that at least 60 companies had to shut down in Jharkhand as they failed to sustain loss. Commenting on the slump in the automobile sector in India, he said that many units of automobile companies have been shelved in Jharkhand too.

“The Government wants to hand over all our lands to industrialists and capitalists. Momentum Jharkhand was only an attempt to ease this process,” he said.

Bhattacharya said that on one hand the farmers in State were reeling under stress due to rainfall deficit and on the other hand labourers were sitting at home in dearth of employment opportunities. Jharkhand has witnessed a rainfall deficit of around 35 per cent this year so far. At least 18 of 24 districts here were declared drought-affected in 2018.

“The Government should ensure employment for everyone. It should also take actions against companies that are flouting norms,” said Bhattacharya, seeking a probe into the malfunction of a caustic pond of Hindalco in Muri.