Opposition Protests Outside Bihar Assembly Over Pre-Paid Electricity Meters

GG News Bureau
Patna, 28th Nov. A loud protest unfolded outside the Bihar Assembly on Thursday as opposition members from the RJD, Congress, and three Left parties demanded the withdrawal of pre-paid electricity meters, arguing that the system causes significant inconvenience to the public.

The opposition leaders gathered in front of the assembly portico, holding placards and raising slogans. Some placards featured a picture of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with slogans such as “It is not a smart meter but a smart cheater.” Others pointed to common complaints, including inflated billing and disconnections without prior warning.

The protest continued until the assembly bell rang, signaling the start of the day’s proceedings. As the demonstration dispersed, the MLAs vowed to persist with their protest, claiming that the introduction of smart meters had led to growing unpopularity for the state government and would likely result in its defeat in the upcoming assembly elections.

However, the ruling NDA defended the use of pre-paid meters, calling them more efficient and a necessary measure to combat power theft. They further argued that opposition parties lacked the moral standing to criticize the policy, pointing out that when in power, they had failed to ensure a stable electricity supply to rural areas.

The political standoff is expected to continue, with both sides asserting their positions ahead of the crucial elections.