The Sukhu government, which is facing an economic crisis in Himachal Pradesh, has shocked millions of electricity consumers of the state. Now milk cess and environment cess will be imposed on the electricity consumers of the state. This will affect electricity consumers of all categories of the state. In this regard, the Assembly passed the Himachal Pradesh Electricity (Fees) Bill by voice vote in the last meeting of the monsoon session on Tuesday.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government is trying to bring changes in the earlier system where many free things were given. Now the government is trying to increase revenue without burdening the common man. He said that milk cess is being imposed on electricity to strengthen the economic condition of milk producers and upliftment of farmers.
The Chief Minister said that environment cess has been imposed on industries to promote tourism industry and ensure clean environment. He said that the amount collected by levying these two cesses will be deposited with the Electricity Department to be used for these specified purposes.
CM told how much cess will be levied?
The Chief Minister said that the state government has earned Rs 130 crore from the milk cess earlier imposed on liquor. A milk cess of Rs 10 was being levied on liquor bottles, but now the cess has been imposed on electricity consumption. He said that this is a very nominal environmental cess, which will not affect anyone. He said that two paise will be levied as cess for small industrial units, four paise for medium, 10 paise on large industrial units, two rupees for stone crushers and six rupees on charging electric vehicles.
The Chief Minister said that this increase is needed to improve the financial health of the state. He said that efforts will be made to make Himachal the most prosperous state of the country by 2032. We will demand green bonus for the protection of forests, but we are forced to buy electricity at Rs 7 per unit from October to March every year.
Jairam said- the government is putting a burden on the poor
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur said that ever since the government has been formed, the poor have been burdened. He said that the price of diesel was increased by Rs 7 and 125 units of free electricity was stopped, while the Congress had promised 300 units of free electricity. Jairam Thakur said that the Chief Minister is saying that the financial condition of the state is bad, but this does not mean that the government should burden the common man. He said that the government has increased the charge for tap water from Rs 10 to Rs 100, which is completely wrong.
Report: UK Sharma
