Bilaspur MLA Trilok Jamwal Alleges Himachal Selling Power Amid Unannounced Cuts

Bilaspur Sadar MLA Trilok Jamwal has launched a sharp attack on the Himachal Pradesh government over what he described as repeated and unannounced power cuts. He said Himachal Pradesh is a power-surplus state, yet the government is selling electricity to other states at high prices instead of ensuring a regular supply of this basic facility to people in the state.

Trilok Jamwal said the frequent power cuts were also disrupting drinking water supply. According to him, the government’s desire to earn money by selling electricity had created serious difficulties for people. He said the people were being forced to face a major crisis despite electricity being generated on a large scale in Himachal Pradesh.

The Bilaspur Sadar MLA questioned the performance of the Congress government, which, he said, had come to power with the slogan of “system change”. He alleged that during the government’s four-year tenure, all systems had deteriorated. He said electricity supply was being interrupted repeatedly from morning to night in Bilaspur and several other districts.

Trilok Jamwal said that, according to information available to him, the state government had instructed the Electricity Board not to take electricity from two large projects. Instead, the board had been asked to sell that power in the open market. He said electricity was now being sold to Punjab, Delhi and other states.

He alleged that the government’s intention was to earn more money by selling electricity at higher rates in the open market. According to Trilok Jamwal, the government wanted to fill its coffers through these sales, and this was the reason for the serious power crisis in Himachal Pradesh.

He said every section of society was facing problems because of the repeated power cuts. In the morning, school and college students, employees, traders and homemakers all had several tasks to complete and were in a hurry. However, he said, when electricity supply stopped at that crucial time, all kinds of work were affected.

Trilok Jamwal further said that in several places, electricity supply was restored only after one or two days. The festival season had begun, and marriage functions had also started. He said the power crisis was badly affecting these activities as well.

He also raised the issue of smart meters. He said the cost of electricity had already increased after smart meters were installed, but people were still not receiving regular power supply. He said the government should first ensure that people received this basic facility properly before trying to conduct business by selling electricity.

Trilok Jamwal also targeted the government over drinking water supply. He said the government had increased electricity bills last year from 100 rupees directly to 441 rupees. He said that after protests, the government had stated that the increased rates would not be implemented. However, according to him, the collection of the increased amount had now started again.

He said that despite the prices being raised by four-and-a-half times, water was still not reaching the taps installed in people’s homes. People, he alleged, were being forced to spend money from their own pockets to bring water tankers.

The Bilaspur Sadar MLA said that the government had failed to fulfil its election guarantees and was also unable to provide basic facilities such as electricity and water. He demanded that the government ensure a regular supply of both facilities and withdraw its decision to increase water bills.