Gadwal: Leaders from the CPI, CPM, and CPI(ML) New Democracy criticized the Central Government for increasing the burden on citizens with the Adani Smart Power Meters. They highlighted that the current free power supply is a result of a significant electricity struggle led by Left parties 23 years ago.
To mark the 23rd anniversary of this Electricity Struggle, district secretaries A. Venkataswamy (CPI), B. Anjaneyulu (CPM), and Jammichedu Karthik (CPI-ML New Democracy) honored the movement’s martyrs with floral tributes at the district headquarters.
The leaders stated that government power corporations were built with public investment and effort. Years ago, the government, influenced by World Bank reforms, tried to privatize the electricity sector and planned a 15% annual tariff increase for four years.
In response, nine Left parties organized the “Chalo Assembly” protest. The government responded with force at Basheerbagh, leading to the deaths of Ramakrishna, Vishnuvardhan Reddy, and Balaswamy. Their sacrifices stopped the tariff hikes and led to the creation of the Jayati Ghosh Committee on agriculture.
Today, Left leaders claim the Central Government is centralizing electricity control, favoring corporations like Ambani and Adani. They accuse the government of pressuring states to install smart meters for agricultural motors as part of reforms, withholding loans from non-compliant states.
They argue that smart meters exploit the poor. As with rising petrol and diesel prices, privatizing electricity could make costs unaffordable for ordinary people, hurt agriculture, and hinder national development.
The leaders noted that after independence, no private companies invested in the power sector. Now, public wealth is being given to private monopolies. They stressed the importance of protecting public institutions to prevent arbitrary price hikes.
They encouraged people to draw inspiration from past electricity struggles and join movements against power sector privatization and for the protection of public assets.
Participants in the program included CPI leaders Ranganna and Gopal Rao, CPM members Param Jyothi and Upper Narasimha, CPI-ML leaders Danayya, AISF district secretary Praveen, Yamappa, CITU district secretary VV Narasimha, and activists Praveen, Thimmappa, Venkatesh, Kollam Madhu, Gattu Thimmappa, Balakrishna, Tirupatanna, Majjiga Anjaneyulu, Kollam Anjaneyulu, and others.
