Chennai: AIADMK functionaries staged a protest against the hike in power tariff at Chengalpattu on Friday. The protest was headed by AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Addressing the functionaries during the protest, EPS said, “Stalin gave a first bonus for the people through property tax hike and now the second bonus with the power tariff hike.”
“The DMK government has hiked the tariff by 12-56%. Hence, people are going to be greatly affected by this. The government will not stop with the hike this year because they have received the nod to hike it every year in July.”
“By 2026, electricity will increase by a minimum of 34%,” he said.
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During his rule, former Chief Minister EPS said, “The people who were using 200 units of power had to pay Rs 170 but with the new tariff they should pay Rs 225. They should pay Rs 55 more every two months.”
“After two years of financial struggle due to the pandemic, the people are returning back to normalcy now. So, the government should think before increasing the tariff,” he said.
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On the closure of mini-clinics brought by late former TN CM Jayalalithaa, EPS said, “Amma’s government will return and we will bring back mini clinics again.”
He also highlighted the issues with Pongal gift hampers, delay in getting National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) exemption, sales of banned drugs, delay in a ban on online gambling and increase in law and order issues in the state.
He also alleged that the Pongal gift hamper was in substandard condition.
The state-wide protest was also held by district functionaries in many other parts of the state.