Thiruvananthapuram: The opposition leader, V.D. Satheesan, criticised the increase in electricity tariff, saying that it has become too heavy and unaffordable for ordinary people, attributing the situation to negligence and corruption of the regime. He remarked that the responsibility for the hike lies entirely with the electricity board and the government.

He demanded the withdrawal of this "shock-inducing" tariff hike program, which burdens the struggling public. He also said that the Congress and the UDF would take to the streets in protest against the increase.

According to the new tariff, an ordinary consumer using 250 units of electricity will have to pay an additional ₹50. After March, this increase will exceed ₹100. This hike makes it difficult for people to manage, especially with additional costs like deposit charges coming up in March, further straining ordinary citizens, he added.

During Oommen Chandy's tenure, a 25-year agreement was made to purchase electricity at ₹4.29 per unit. For seven years, electricity was procured under this agreement, and the current government continued the same for over six years. Two years ago, the agreement was canceled, and electricity has since been purchased at rates ranging from ₹6 to ₹12 per unit, which led to this additional financial burden, Satheesan explained. He alleged that canceling the low-cost agreement was intended to benefit the Adani Group financially.

He also criticised the government over the SmartCity project for failing to respond to any objections raised by the opposition about the TECOM company. Satheesan questioned the legality of compensating the company for a breach of contract, pointing out that the company itself did not fulfill its obligations. He accused the government of a scam involving 248 acres being handed over to private parties under this arrangement.