Guwahati: The Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) protested the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022 at Bijulee Bhavan in Guwahati on Monday.
The protesters alleged that the law was surreptitiously introduced in the parliament.
One of the protestors said, “Through this bill, the infrastructure worth seven lakh crore is being transferred toward privatisation. However, by this bill, they have welcomed the private businesses to supply power in lucrative regions of the state. The network will be run by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).”
They claimed, “If private businesses emerge, they would do business in lucrative locations, leaving APDCL with no choice except to provide power in rural areas. Then, if we are unable to supply electricity to urban areas, we might automatically turn into a loss-making business.”
They fear if APDCL becomes a loss-making company then in future like BSNL they might have to close down.