 "Now, Shiv Sena wants 50% power tariff cut")
Sena has threatened to forcibly shut R-Infra's collection centres after a fortnight, if the company fails to approach the Maharashtra government to cut tariff and seek subsidy to make up for the revenue loss.
R-Infra's total consumer base is 2.8 million of which 2.3 million are residential. Out of this, 1.7 million consume up to 500 units per month.
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As per the multi-year tariff approved by the Maharashtra Electricigty Regulatory Commission, R-Infra's avereage billing rate for 2013-14 is Rs Rs 7.98 per unit, Rs 7.04 in 2014-15 and Rs 6.23 per unit for 2015-16.
R-Infra spokesman declined to comment on the issue. However, Srinath Kasi of R-Infra has told the protesters that R-Infra would approach the state government within a fortnight with a proposal to cut tariff and provide subsidy for the same.
The Shiv Sena group leader, Subhash Desai, told Business Standard: ''Our party is not interested in making any political stunt on the issue. We have been quite consistent in our position that R-Infra's tariff is quite high and the consumers are taking a big hit. We will continue our agitation so that the Mumbai consumer gets the relief.''
Party legislator Anil Parab, who led the march to the R-Infra office in the western suburb, argued that if AAP-led government can reduce 50 per cent tariff in Delhi why it isn't possible in Mumbai. He said under section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the government can provide subsidy to R-Infra. Further, the state government under section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003, can give direction to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission in the matters of policy involving public interest.
The agitation comes close on the heels of statement by Sena President Uddhav Thackeray that the saffron party was the original AAP from the days it was founded by Bal Thackeray. Uddhav went on to add that the common man has always been with the Sena and it was not worried about any other party.
However, the Sena is desperate to dislodge Congress-NCP alliance government in the state. The Assembly elections will be held this year. The party feels that it can win over the lost grounds by raking up power tariff issue. Besides, the Sena wants to outsmart former party leader and currently Congress MP from north Mumbai Sanjay Nirupam who recently targetted the Congress-led government, demanding immediate reduction in tariff. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had said a committee was looking into the demand.