UP is shifting burden of tardy power cos onto most disenfranchised citizens

Many farmers believe the move is particularly cruel because the quality of rural power supply hasn't improved

Voting in the civic polls of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-governed Uttar Pradesh (UP) concluded on November 29. A day later, a huge power tariff hike of up to 150% for rural consumers was announced in the state. While the tariff hike, implemented from December 10, is particularly severe for consumers in rural areas, it has been more forgiving of urban consumers, and it leaves the tariffs for industrial consumers untouched.
 
The political opposition in the state has accused the BJP of misleading people by announcing the hike just a day after voting ended in the state civic elections. Farmer