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| wise words ::. | | What is the difference between genius and stupidity? Genius has limits. - Albert Einstein. |
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| headline. | 05/10/02 |
Hminga requests gov't to rollback power tarrif hike
Aizawl Oct 07:Calling a press conference today at his office chambers, Opposition Leader and MPC president Lalhmingthanga said he is requesting the goverment of Mizoram through the news media to review its recent power hike and find ways to roll it back again in view of the great hardships the tariff hike has brought to 80% of the population of state.
Hminga told pressmen that the August 1st power tariff hike was the second one during the present ministry, the first being the power tarrif hike on March 1st, 2000. While advocating the need to raise revenues through power supplies, Hminga condemned the MNF ministry's revenue collections through people who cannot afford it.
"The double hike in power tarrif within two and half years is a clear sign of the MNF government's lack of kindness for the masses. The party which used to say nothing more can be wrung out of the people have, within three and a half years of its rule, introduced 10 new burdens for the people," the opposition leader said.
Explaining how the rural population are suffering because of the power tarrif hike, Lalhmingthanga said the people are charged for their connection whether the power is there or not.
"In rural areas, where power supply is unavailable for three weeks out of four weeks, or even more, the least the government could do was charge them less. However, whether they consume power or not, as long as there is bulb hanging in the house, the people are billed for that. With the hikes in tarrif, the power bills have now doubled, tripled and quadrupled in rural places where it can least be afforded," Lalhmingthanga said.
Lalhmingthanga also alleged that the power tarrif hikes has not affected the more upward homes and families as their power tarrifs have not been hiked.
Answering a question about the MPC's involvement in the power tarrif hike during its shortlived coalition with the MNF, Lalhmingthanga said it was true that power tarrif hikes had been contemplated during his tenure as power minister in 1999.
"However, even though arrangements had all been made, I suppressed the hike in tarrif. Soon after we were kicked out from the government in December of 1999, the MNF government hiked the power tarrif. We did all we could for the people," he said.
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| notices. | 05/10/02 |
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