High rates negate Raman Singh govt's claims of surplus power,

Notwithstanding the presence of rich coal reserves in Chhattisgarh, the people of the state were burdened with high electricity costs, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said today even as he alleged that the Raman Singh government had failed on all fronts.
Addressing a Congress rally in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Hooda said that even though the ruling BJP government says there is surplus electricity in the state, those claims are belied by the high power rates.
Haryana and other states take coal from Chhattisgarh to generate electricity, but it is the rates here which are higher, Hooda said.
He alleged that it was the ruling BJP's pick and choose system and favouritism which had seen the mineral resources of Chhattisgarh being handed over to industries while the burden of high electricity rates was put on people.

People of Haryana are getting electricity at more reasonable rates than in Chhattisgarh, he added.
Farmers in Haryana get electricity at 20 paise per unit for agriculture purposes whereas the coal to generate power was imported from a distance of more than 1,000km, Hooda said.

Had the ruling BJP utilised the natural resources in a proper way, the picture of development in Chhattisgarh would have been altogether different, Hooda said, blaming the Raman Singh government for having failed on all fronts.
Hooda, who was speaking at a public meeting in favour of Congress candidate Vikas Upadhayay, who is contesting the north Raipur seat, said that Congress had given a chance to the youth in these elections so that they get a chance to serve the people.

The Haryana CM returned later in the evening.
While the first phase of polling for the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh concluded on November 11, the second phase is slated to be held on the 19th of this month.
The counting of votes will be held on December 8.