Sambalpur: Protest at TPWODL; Locals Demand Prepaid Smart Meter Shutdown

Sambalpur: The Western region of the state, known for its contributions to various electricity generation projects, including hydroelectric and thermal power, as well as coal mining, is witnessing dissatisfaction among consumers. Despite the sacrifices made in these sectors, distribution companies are accused of exploiting consumers rather than offering concessions in electricity services. In reaction to these complaints, the district BJP staged a protest by invading the office of a distribution company inspector today.

The protest includes a list of ten demands expressed in a claim form. The demands include discontinuing the pre-paid smart meter system in the region, clearing all WESCO time arrears, the presence of customers during vigilance checks and video shooting, prioritizing locally educated unemployed youth in company recruitment, providing free electricity to farmers at lift points, resolving complaints of faulty billing as quickly as possible, facilitating monthly installments for innocent slum residents with arrears, streamlining and expediting new electricity connections, preventing unannounced and random power cuts, particularly during rain and storms, and developing a robust infrastructure for electricity consumers. Additionally, the protestors demanded an end to rude behavior towards consumers.

Concerns were raised during the protest by State General Editor Anil Behera, Sameer Ranjan Babu, Dr. Pramod Ratha, Sushant Kumar Purohit, Manas Ranjan Boxi, Damodar Kar, Gobind Agrawal, Ashwini Majhi, Niranjan Das, Sudhir Ranjan Bahidar, Annapurna Barik, Bharati Panda, and Runu Pradhan. Notable guests included district BJP presidents Girish Patel, Bipin Bhatia, Saroj Kumar Dalpat, Shambhu Barelia, Krishna Mahakud, Arun Kumar Das, Mohan Das, Anup Mishra, Ajit Behera, and Kahnuram Sharma.