Left parties to observe protest day on August 28 against power tariff hikes, smart meters

The Left parties have jointly called for the observance of ‘Pledge Day’ on August 28 across Andhra Pradesh to protest against rising power tariffs and the imposition of Adani smart meters. The decision was taken at a meeting held at the CPI(M) State Office here on Friday, chaired by B. Bangarrao, State Secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation.

Participants included V. Srinivasa Rao, Y. Venkateswara Rao, and Ch. Baburao (CPI-M); K. Ramakrishna (CPI); B. Bangarrao and Uday Kiran (CPI-ML Liberation); P. Prasad and Polari (New Democracy); Shivaiah and Subhani (MCPI-U); Ramakrishna (New Democracy); and Sudhir (SUCI-C). Representatives from CPI(ML), RSP, and Forward Bloc extended support despite being unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.

The Left leaders noted that August 28 marks the 25th anniversary of the sacrifice of three people during the 2000 electricity reforms struggle in united Andhra Pradesh. That agitation had curbed tariff hikes for nearly two decades. However, they alleged that the current coalition government, despite promises to reverse the burdens imposed by the previous YSRCP regime, is continuing the same policies. They particularly criticised the forced rollout of Adani smart meters, saying it is adversely affecting poor and middle-class households as well as small-scale industries. The parties urged the public to participate in large numbers in the statewide Pledge Day to pressure the government into revoking these measures.

The meeting also condemned the move by a delegation of MPs led by Union Minister Rammohan Naidu, who recently urged the Centre to allocate captive mines to the proposed ArcelorMittal steel plant near Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district. The leaders pointed out that the Centre had already allocated rich mineral deposits in Lingasamudram, Nellore district, to the Jindal Group. They accused the ruling parties of taking a contradictory stance—publicly supporting the Visakha Steel Plant while quietly sidelining efforts to allocate captive mines to it. The meeting called on the State government to stop lobbying for private corporations and ensure that captive mines are allocated to the public sector Visakha Steel Plant.