Hyderabad:
Slamming the Congress government's reported move to hike power tariff, various opposition parties today organised protests at different places in the state.
The proposal was also opposed by senior Congress Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao who sought that the government reconsider it.
The move would face tremendous opposition from the people who are already paying hefty surcharge levied on power consumption, he said.
Speaking at a protest in Vijayawada, CPI(M) state secretary B V Raghavulu said electricity consumers should write letters to the Chief Minister voicing their opposition.
The CPI(M) and CPI activists organised protests at various other places in the state.
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leaders and workers held a demonstration this evening carrying lanterns.
"We warn the government to immediately withdraw the move," TRS floor leader in the assembly E Rajender said.
The power distribution companies have reportedly submitted proposals to the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission for permission to raise Rs 12,723 crore additionally from consumers.
Meanwhile, State Endowments Minister C Ramachandraiah has also expressed opposition to the proposal to hike power tariff.
He shot off a letter to state Congress president Botsa Satyanarayana suggesting that the proposal should be discussed within the party first.
Media reports of sharp increase in power tariff have come as a bolt from the blue to the people of the state, he said.