RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday staged a protest on hike in electricity bill at Raipur and seeking release of water for farmers at Kurud (Dhamtari) under former ministers. Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) along with other frontal organisations of BJP led by former minister Rajesh Munat staged a protest before the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company office at Gudhiyari (Raipur) on hike in electricity bill. The BJYM workers broke the barricades and entered the office, leading to clashes with police.

Rajesh Munat said the Congress government has waived the electricity bills of industrialists but has hiked the bill of common consumers. It has been hiked four times. He pointed out that a rickshaw puller was served a bill of Rs 5,000 while a resident of Adarsh Nagar (Raipur) received a bill of Rs12,000. Both the poor families cannot afford to pay the bill. Against which a subsidy of Rs 37 crore has been given to industrialists. Taking a jibe at the deteriorating law and order situation, Munat said – those caught by the police, the Congress people get them released. He said the BJP will oppose ‘Chowpatty’ in Science College premises.

Former minister and Kurud MLA Ajay Chandrakar led the protest of BJP workers at Kurud (Dhamtari) seeking water for irrigation for the Rabi season. He said that there are four dams in Dhamtari district and it has water to the brim. He said the state government has refused water to farmers in the name of maintenance. But, it is ensuring water supply to the industries. It is a double standard. If the government does not comply with the demand, would launch a bigger movement in the near future.