Opposition BJP today termed as "eyewash and misleading" Maharashtra government's decision to effect 20 per cent cut in power tariffs and alleged the move would "benefit" only private companies and not consumers.
"The decision by the state government to reduce the power tariff was taken to benefit private power supplying companies so that they can fund the ruling parties during elections," alleged the Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Vinod Tawde.
Maharashtra cabinet today decided to slash by 20 per cent the power tariff charged to domestic consumers, industries and powerlooms by the state-run Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MahaVitaran).
The cut will not be applicable in Mumbai where players other than MahaVitaran supply power. Mumbai consumers get power supply from Tata Power, Reliance Infrastructure and BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking.
"It is nothing but an eye-wash. People will not benefit because of it (cut in tariff)", Tawde alleged.
State unit BJP president Devendra Fadnavis flayed the cut in power tariffs, saying the decision was "politically motivated" and aimed at appeasing electorate ahead of elections.
"The decision is only to win the upcoming elections. The decision will remain for only 10 months till the election period," Fadnavis said in a statement.
"Instead of giving a gift of Rs 7200 crore to corrupt power companies, it would have been better had the state government avoided corruption in coal block allocation," Fadnavis said.
