Odisha Congress workers lock Tata Power office over security deposit, smart meter issues

In a strong show of dissent, the Bolangir District Congress on Monday staged a protest against Tata Power, accusing the power utility of collecting security deposits while failing to provide free electricity. Congress workers held a sit-in demonstration in front of the office of the Superintending Engineer of the Electricity Department in Bolangir.

Following the protest, Odisha Congress workers escalated their agitation by locking the Tata Power office located at the Superintending Engineer’s premises. The protestors raised slogans demanding immediate redressal of their grievances and withdrawal of the alleged charges imposed on consumers.

Leadership and Demands

The agitation was led by senior Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja, who criticised Tata Power’s policies and alleged that the actions of the power utility were burdening the common people. He asserted that the protest would continue until the demands are addressed.

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"The way Tata Power is oppressing consumers and doing injustice to them is deeply concerning, and the police department has also begun acting in a similar manner towards consumers. People are being forced to pay additional security deposits and are being compelled to purchase smart meters. These smart meters are allegedly supplied by the son-in-law of an Odisha minister from the present government. Consumers are being told that they are required to install the smart meters. However, if a consumer installs a Tata Power smart meter instead of a normal meter, electricity consumption units double, and the billing amount also increases twofold,” said senior Congress leader Santosh Singh Saluja.

The incident highlights growing discontent over electricity-related issues in the district. With tensions rising, all eyes are now on the response of Tata Power and the electricity department to the Congress party’s demands.