Govt Must Reconsider Irrigation Power Tariff Hike: Jairam Thakur

Shimla, May 12 — Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has slammed the Himachal Pradesh government for the steep hike in electricity bills for farmers using irrigation connections. In a press release, he stated that farmers who previously paid ₹300 for using 500 units now receive bills amounting to nearly ₹2800 under the new system introduced by the Sukhu-led government.

Calling the increase “unjust and shocking,” Thakur demanded immediate government intervention. “This is exploitation of the country’s food producers. The BJP will not tolerate such high-handedness,” he said, accusing the Congress government of ignoring repeated requests from both farmers and the Opposition.

Thakur also criticized the government for its silence. “Even a ₹2 increase in milk prices is advertised with posters and hoardings, yet no word is spoken about this 5 to 7 times hike in electricity charges,” he remarked. He accused the Congress of breaking its pre-election promise of providing 300 units of free electricity, calling it one of the many “false guarantees.”

He urged the Chief Minister to review the decision, stating that most Indian states offer subsidized electricity for agricultural use. “This kind of authoritarian approach to public issues is dangerous and unacceptable,” he warned.