Karnataka Bandh: KCCI Protests In Hubballi Against Electricity Price Hike — Watch

Several district chambers of the KCCI agreed to participate in the protest against alleged power tariff hike in Karnataka

Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) called for Karnataka Bandh on Thursday against an alleged hike in electricity charges by the state government in anticipation of bringing some disruption in normal life. Several district chambers of the KCCI agreed to participate in the protest. In a visual shared by news agency ANI, members of KCCI’s Hubballi unit could be seen taking to the streets against the state government alleging abnormal price hikes in electricity charges. 

With posters and banners, the protestors took out a march chanting slogans. Watch the video here. Traders and small industry owners in other parts of the state also took out rallies against the hike in power tariff. 

The KCCI issued a statement on Saturday giving a call for the bandh in the state. 

"We request all the Trade and Industry to close their establishment on 22 June. This is in protest of an abnormal price hike in the Electricity charges by ESCOM. For the last eight days, we have made attempts to convey the seriousness of the impact of the hike in electricity charges. However, no solution is forthcoming from the Officials or government representatives,” it said. 

"To draw the attention of the government, we are calling for this Bandh. We wish to find a solution and get a reduction in the electricity charges. We hope that the government will respond to our request," it added. 

As per the statement, the District Chambers of Gadag, Bijapur, Rancbennur, Raichur, Talikoti, Vijaynagar, Mysore, Davangere, Koppal, Bagalkoti, Dharwad, Sirsi, Karwar, Bidar, Shivamoga, Kolar, Mandya, Chickmangalore, Yadgir, Chitradurga, KalyanKamataka, Haveri, Hassan, Bellary, and other industry associations had agreed to join the agitation. 

Karnataka Bandh: What is the issue?

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a steep increase in the fixed and per unit charges a hike of 70 paise per unit in a tariff order dated May 12, as per a Hindustan Times report. The move drew flak from the Bharatiya Janata Party who accused the newly elected Congress government in the state of increasing the tariff to fulfill their poll promise of free electricity of up to 200 units under the Gruha Jyoti Scheme.

As per the report, some individuals also received an exorbitant bill this month, which was due to some error, said Bescom (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited). 

Meanwhile, Karnataka power minister KJ George said the Gruha Jyoti scheme is for 200 units, and anything above and over will have to be paid. "If average power consumption plus 10 per cent is less than 200 units, it will be subsidised. Anything over and above that will have to be paid. Consumers who use more than the allotted units, have to pay for the extra units used. 9 per cent of tax will be included in it," George said.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)