GUWAHATI: "Assam is gasping for economic survival after five years of BJP's misrule. The 3.5 crore Assamese are bearing the burnt of unfathomable mal-governance and rampant corruption in the so-called 'Double Engine Government' – at the Centre and the State. On one hand, Modi Government has put up a 'Fire Sale' of India's invaluable assets – from Airports to Railways and on the other hand, BJP Government in Assam is hell bent upon selling Assam's assets and is mired in corruption," said AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala here today.
The Congress party has promised "5 Guarantees" to the people of Assam – Free electricity up to 200 units; Rs. 2,000 every month to every woman in the household; abrogation of CAA; and well-deserved Rs.365 per day wage to the toiling tea workers and 5 lakh government jobs to Assam's youth, he said.
According to the AICC general secretary, there are a total of 50 lakh domestic consumers in Assam. "Only 1,23,244 consumers fall in the 'Jeevan Dhara Category' who are required to pay a tariff charge of Rs. 4.25 per unit. Tragedy is that majority of Assam's electricity consumers pay an exorbitant unheard of electricity tariff rate of Rs.6.15 per unit," he said.
"Sonowal government continued to sell a mirage of 'Double Engine Government' and on the other hand, they use Assam's precious resources in unguided and intriguing electricity purchase worth over Rs. 20,000 crore at astronomically high prices.
The sale of NEEPCO by the Modi Government is a body blow to the interests of Assam and the Northeast, he said.
Now, Modi Government has decided to even sell NTPC into private hands. Net consequence is that the cheap and subsidized electricity for North East will now be sold for profit, he said.
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