The CPM state committee has strongly opposed the proposed additional burden of Rs 128 billion in electricity charges through ‘True-Up’ adjustments, calling for its immediate withdrawal. The party has urged the public to support the ‘Praja Vedika’ protests scheduled for 5 August.

In a statement on Friday, CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao criticised the move, stating that while the government claims it is not raising electricity tariffs, distribution companies have submitted proposals to the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) seeking approval to levy Rs 128 billion in True-Up charges for the period from 2019–20 to 2023–24.

Rao asserted that such proposals could not have been submitted without the knowledge of the state government and urged it to intervene immediately. He also highlighted that consumers have already paid Rs 30 billion in True-Up charges for the 2014–19 period. Additionally, after the new coalition government assumed power, a further Rs 154.85 billion was imposed in adjustment charges for 2022–23 and 2023–24.

For the current financial year (2024–25), consumers are being charged an extra 40 paise per unit every month, resulting in the collection of another Rs 27.87 billion. Rao also warned that the introduction of smart meters would lead to further financial strain on consumers.

He accused the coalition government of breaking its pre-election promise to reduce electricity tariffs and criticised the contradictory move of announcing a Rs 4.49 billion ‘True-Down’ while simultaneously proposing a massive hike.

Rao described the collection of True-Up charges years after tariffs are fixed as illegal and alleged that these adjustments are being misused through unlawful agreements and corruption involving corporate entities, ultimately passing the burden onto consumers.

The CPM has called on the public to participate actively in the 5 August protests to oppose the tariff hike, demand the scrapping of True-Up and fuel adjustment charges, and reject the rollout of smart meters.