Burden of Buying Power at Higher Rates Will Eventually Fall on People: Sunny Joseph

Thiruvananthapuram: Following power cuts across Keralam, consumers are now facing another burden as the state moves to procure electricity at higher rates. Minister Sunny Joseph said the additional financial burden arising from costly power purchases would ultimately be passed on to the public.

The minister said procuring electricity at ₹30 per unit instead of the available rate of ₹4.29 per unit would impose a significant additional financial burden on the state. Even if the government assumes responsibility for the additional expenditure, the burden would eventually reach the people, he added.

“Government money ultimately belongs to the people. Even if the government takes responsibility for the additional expenditure, the burden will reach the people,” he said.

A meeting on electricity procurement was held under the leadership of Chief Minister V D Satheesan, the minister said. The government is proceeding with steps to purchase electricity from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

Steps are also being taken to restore the electricity purchase agreement that had earlier been cancelled, minister told media.