One of the promises to the voters of the major parties in the five states where assembly elections are going to be held is concessions for electricity consumers. There are parties that have declared a complete discount for those who use up to a hundred units. The Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Delhi almost unopposed with the grand promise of free water and electricity. That was the first policy they implemented when they came to power as well. Later, some prominent parties were seen following the AAP path. A few months ago in the Karnataka elections, one of the main promises of the Congress, which was in the opposition, was to provide a fixed unit of electricity for free. They fulfilled their promise as soon as they came to power. In many states of the country, the parties are gaining the support of the people by announcing benefits like this, but in Kerala, there is no free electricity and the new decision is to take away the benefits that are currently being received. Complaints have been raised statewide against this unfortunate and unpopular decision. However, the electricity board, which is reeling under huge losses after KSRTC, has no other option.

Ten percent duty paid by consumers in the state from time to time is currently collected by KSEB. Actually, this money is supposed to go to the government. This duty on electricity is used to provide pensions to those leaving the board and to give subsidies to those consumers who use less electricity. As the government is in a financial crisis, the duty income received by the board has been asked to be paid to the government. This will amount to around 1200 crore rupees in a year. There are about 40,000 pensioners in KSEB. Out of 1200 crores received as duty, 800 crores go to the pension fund. KSEB should find a new way to provide pensions while the subsidy amount is credited to the government. That means more money has to be extracted from the consumers themselves. Let no one hope that the indulgence and extravagance of the board will be reduced to save it from the crisis even a little. The overstaffed and union-dominated board is making extra revenue by choking off consumers. Two days ago, the surcharge was increased by 20 paise per unit. The threat of increasing it further has already come from the minister himself. When things are like this, electricity consumers cannot expect anything good from the board.

Sixty-six lakh consumers will lose the benefit with the end of the current subsidy. However, the power minister is saying that the subsidy will continue as the protest gets stronger. The fees for government services have also been increased since last April. The fair value of land has been raised sharply and the registration fees have been made unaffordable. The government says that there is no money in the exchequer despite ensuring revenue increase by increasing taxes and fees on everything. Has the government considered what will happen to the ordinary families who are struggling to survive if the state of things goes like this?