Ranchi, Apr 17 (PTI) The opposition BJP on Friday protested the JMM-led Jharkhand government's decision to hike electricity rates in all 24 district headquarters of the state and demanded withdrawal of the increased tariff.

BJP spokesperson Yogendra Pratap Singh told PTI that demonstrations were held in front of district collectorates.

The authorities last month announced a 6.12 per cent rise in power tariff, which came into effect from April 1. Under the new rates, domestic consumers in rural areas will have to pay Rs 7.20 per unit, up from Rs 6.70, while those in urban areas will be charged Rs 7.40 per unit, up from Rs 6.85.

“The Hemant Soren government is looting the state treasury on one hand, and simultaneously looting the common man by imposing the burden of exorbitant electricity bills upon the public. It has proven itself to be nothing more than a government of loot and lies. We demand that the electricity tariff hike be immediately withdrawn,” BJP state president Aditya Sahu said in a statement.

He claimed that the state government is “sacrificing the state exchequer at the altar of corruption".

New scams are coming to light every single day, and the treasury scam has even surpassed the Fodder Scam that took place when Lalu Prasad was the chief minister in Bihar, Sahu alleged.

The state government has ordered a statewide probe after investigations revealed that over Rs 6 crore was allegedly withdrawn from a treasury salary account in Bokaro by a police department accountant, who has been arrested. Later, five other people were taken into custody in connection with the Hazaribag SP office treasury scam, with the alleged embezzlement amount rising to Rs 28 crore.

"The current situation is such that salaries, ranging from those of junior employees to the Governor, are not being paid,” the BJP leader alleged.

He remarked that the government's promise to provide 200 units of free electricity is a deception.

“The Hemant Soren government has failed to develop any sustainable sources of revenue to implement its public welfare promises on the ground. Funds such as royalties from mines and minerals, as well as the DMFT (District Mineral Foundation Trust) funds, have been squandered by the state government on its own comforts and on the lavish indulgences of its functionaries,” Sahu claimed.

He questioned the government's actions, asserting that the adminitration has neither procured paddy from farmers at the promised rate of Rs 3,200 per quintal, nor provided gas cylinders at Rs 450, nor generated employment opportunities for the youth, and did not disburse unemployment allowances.

The BJP Rajya Sabha MP further claimed that even the State Electricity Regulatory Commission has expressed its objection regarding the intention of the state government.

“It is evident from this that the state government seeks to conceal its failures by imposing arbitrary burdens, in violation of established norms, upon the poor, farmers, and ordinary consumers despite the objection of the state electricity regulatory commission,” said Sahu.

He further accused the electricity department of issuing exorbitant bills amounting to as much as Rs 2,00,000 or Rs 2,50,000 to numerous consumers, forcing them to abandon their work and livelihoods and run from office to office in an attempt to get these errors rectified.

“The government must revoke these increased rates without delay; failing to do so, the party will further intensify its agitation against this anti-people decision,” he stressed. PTI ANB NN NN

Electricity tariff hike draws statewide protests amid claims of consumer burden, regulatory objection, and broken welfare promises. Opposition protests were reported across Jharkhand against the state government's electricity tariff hike, with demands for withdrawal of the revised rates. The criticism focused on the burden on ordinary consumers, alleged inconsistency with promises of free electricity and welfare measures, and reported objections from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission. The protests were also tied to broader allegations of administrative failure, corruption, and excessive electricity billing.