The electricity board is tight-fisted to increase the tariff again from April 1st. The Board has submitted a proposal to the Regulatory Commission to increase the rates every April for the next four years. In June last year, the electricity tariff was increased by 6.6% in the state. Apart from this, 9 paise per unit has been increased for four months from February 1st. Unsatisfied with this, the board has again approached the commission to increase the charge from April.

Even if this is not the case, since April, huge obligations are falling on people's heads. With the introduction of a cess of Rs 2 each on petrol and diesel, fuel prices will increase. Building tax and fair value of land will increase from then onwards. All this is sure to make life difficult for the common man. On top of that, the electricity board is ready to charge again without mercy. The Left Front's manifesto is to strengthen the public sector. Things are moving in such a way that no one is asking whether they should be strengthened by juicing the people. No one should forget the fact that when Congress and BJP were ruling alternately in Delhi, the increase in electricity charges in such an unsustainable manner paved the way for the entry of the Aam Aadmi Party. Here too, a situation is being created where people will be forced to accept any party that says they will reduce electricity charges tomorrow.

KSRTC has always been justified in increasing the charge. KSEB has not laid down any losses this time. Instead, it is said that income and expenditure are equal. There have been reports that this too is untrue. It is alleged that all three sections of the board are running on profit and the profit figure is hidden to increase the rate. The board is imposing two and three times salary hikes and other wasteful expenses on the people through rate hikes. When the charges are increased like this, no industry will come to Kerala. Low-cost electricity is the primary requirement for industrial growth. Where there is no such thing, entrepreneurs will not come no matter what promises the government makes.

Crores of rupees are to be collected in electricity bill backlogs. The board has adopted a strategy of not collecting this and making up for all the losses through rate hikes. The board and the government should be ready to end this gluttony to increase the rate. What is the people's choice but to tolerate all this in silence while they are becoming the ones who have no right to even protest.