 "Mamata promises lower power tariffs")
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, said power tariffs will be reduced in near future, in the state. A step, she said, that will benefit industry and poorer sections in society.
Addressing the state legislative assembly, hours before the state finance minister Amit Mitra's budget speech, Mamata said that electricity tariffs are likely to come down. “Is it not a big achievement?” the chief minister questioned, adding that prices of other commodities are rising and a reduction in tariffs will certainly help the common people as well as the industry. The intended tariff-reduction is on account of a saving of around Rs 1,500 crore due to efficient management.
While Banerjee spoke, Left and Congress MLAs stayed away from the House, giving the chief minister an uninterrupted 80-minute duration for making critical statements against political opponents. Holding the Left and the Congress responsible for deteriorating economic situations in Bengal and the country, respectively, the chief minister said that her government has been accomplishing its promises, whether it's implementation of projects, tackling of crime, especially against women or checking strikes and loss of man-days. She claimed that Bengal has its contribution in elimination of polio from the country.
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Criticising the absence of the Opposition MLAs, Mamata said that people will not support such an attitude from their representatives. The chief minister promised a brighter future for the state, ahead.
“She talked about reduction of loss of man-days. But what about factory-owners keeping the units shut. Regular monitoring of commodities prices has not been fruitful either. Even during winter, a commodity like potato is being sold at a high price. You talk of power. People are still facing load-shading,” alleged an Opposition MLA.
Contrasting their absence during the CM's speech, Opposition MLAs attended the House during Mitra's budget speech.