Assam: Protests erupt in Margherita against smart meters, Congress demands immediate withdrawal

The Margherita Block Congress Committee launched a protest by gathering the office of the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) in Margherita, voicing strong opposition to the installation of smart meters in households across Assam. 

The protestors accused the state government of exploiting citizens through inflated electricity bill charges, claiming that the smart meters have siphoned off thousands of crores from the public.

The demonstration saw active participation from various wings of the Indian National Congress, including the Margherita Assembly Youth Congress and the Margherita Mahila Congress Committee. Protestors chanted slogans denouncing the BJP-led Assam government, condemning its policies as oppressive.

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Tara Prasad Dehingia, President of the Margherita Block Congress Committee, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government's actions, stating, "It is unfortunate that under the guise of development, the BJP-led government has installed smart meters that are nothing more than a tool to drain money from the common people through excessive electricity bill recharges. The public is fed up with this exploitation."

Dehingia further pointed out that the Gujarat government had previously withdrawn the use of these smart meters, raising concerns over why Assam continues to implement them. He issued a stern warning, demanding the immediate cessation of smart meter installations in Assam. "If the government fails to take action, we will escalate our protests, leading to massive agitations in the coming days," he cautioned.