BJP claims affordable quality liquor indicates end of mafia influence, defends power tariffs in Uttarakhand
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed that controlled inflation and the supply of affordable quality liquor in Uttarakhand signify the elimination of liquor mafia influence, which it alleges thrived during the Congress regime.
BJP’s State media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan said that the current liquor policy ensures consumer access to quality products at reasonable prices, contrasting it with past practices where, according to him, Congress governments framed excise policies in coordination with liquor mafia. He also criticised the Congress for its recent protest over power tariffs, calling it unjustified.
He said that Uttarakhand provides affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply and should not be compared to other states. He stated that states governed by non-BJP parties, including Himachal Pradesh, charge significantly higher electricity rates than Uttarakhand. According to Chauhan, the Uttarakhand government ensures maximum free electricity for poor households across both mountainous and plain regions. He said that inflation in the state remains low while the growth rate is high.
He said that the government provides 200 units of free electricity in mountain areas and 100 units in plains, along with ration through the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to support household needs. Chauhan claimed that practical electricity tariffs are necessary to make the department concerned self-sufficient and efficient. He cited Himachal Pradesh as an example, where he said the electricity board has incurred losses exceeding Rs 300 crore and is among the most expensive in terms of per-unit power distribution.
He claimed that the Himachal government had appealed to the public to surrender power subsidies promised during elections due to financial strain. He said that while there are widespread power cuts in other states, including urban areas, Uttarakhand continues to provide consistent electricity. He accused Congress of ignoring this situation for political reasons.
Chauhan also said that reductions in global petroleum prices have been passed on to consumers by the current government, unlike during the Congress era. He added that under Congress rule, the growth rate remained lower than inflation, whereas since 2014, growth has consistently outpaced inflation. He concluded by stating that the public supports the policies of the Modi and Dhami governments, as reflected in past election results.
