The Government of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje today rolled back higher electricity tariff rates which were earlier imposed on farmers to recover state from accrued losses. Thanks to the last government of Ashok Gehlot.
Helmed by Ashok Gehlot, the last government transformed a glorious treasury into a redundant cum unfortunate one. Notably, this negative transformation cannot be undermined as it envisages an unconvincing loss accumulation of a whopping sum of Rs. 500 crores.
Being an opportunist, Gehlot government allegedly tied up with a private company to earn unmatchable favouritism in the name of providing power and electricity at subsidized tariff rates to the masses.
In the name of providing subsidized electricity, the congress party filled their vote banks to the brim. Until here, the story was still tolerable. But later Gehlot ushered in dirty acts of dishonesty and perfidy thereby giving rise to massive losses for the state, which is the real reason behind the victimization of farmers.
The Gehlot government was trying to grope for pricey perks through more ways than one.
As the amount of loans and grants increased, the state became over-debted, bankers too refused to grant further loans. The government consequentially stopped receiving grants from RBI and other sources too, in the backdrop of intense fear of non-recovery and bad-debts.
As per the directives of World Bank, Gehlot confirmed World bank that he will hike tariff rates to receive funds and repay banks. In this grave situation when the World Bank has approached, the situation becomes crucial and must be dealt with unyeilding earnestness and driven by a sense of urgency. But to no avail to the stubborn Mr. Gehlot who didn’t cease to show his colors here too. While he gave a nod to the World Bank that high tariff rates will be effective, he assured the Cabinet that no hikes will be effective.
This is an instance of a serious issue solved with equally complacent and nonsensical approach.
When raje assumed office, she inherited a hollow treasury which is better to not have, rather. To counter the unfortunate situation and to restore DISCOM’s support back, Vasundhara Raje hiked the tariff rates, which was a consequent result of the meaningless and no-brainer assurance given by Gehlot to the World Bank.
Much to everybody’s knowledge, Vasundhara is known as people’s government. Being sensitive to the mounting financial pressure of the farmers, Vasundhara rolled back her decision of tariff-rate hiking.
This new decision of BJP government is an impeccable movement to ameliorate state losses and recover the long-lost glory of state’s treasury.
After detailed stake holder consultation the government has finally decided to subsidise tariff loss of Rs. 500 crore to the DISCOMs so that farmers could continue to pay as per old rates (i.e. rates prior to hike by regulator)
The financial dilemma in DISCOMs is to be blamed on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s slew of imprudent decisions immediately after coming to power in December 2008.
To much respite of the masses, Raje government reciprocated the faith and hopes pinned onto the leader. She has not only delivered her promises but also gone beyond the usual to overcome the inherited odds, which she confronted on assuming office.
The impeccable leadership and visionary approach of Raje has resulted in ameliorating the pains of the farmer community.
