Mangaluru: The BJP Mangaluru City South unit held a strong demonstration on Monday outside the MESCOM office (Kulasekhara subdivision) near Maroli-Jodukatte, voicing their opposition to the state government’s decision to charge consumers for funding pensions and gratuity of electricity board employees. Protesters called it “broad daylight looting” of the public.
Addressing the crowd, MLA Vedavyas Kamath clarified that the party does not oppose retirement benefits for power sector workers. However, he emphasized that passing this financial responsibility onto consumers is unacceptable. He asserted that it is the duty of the state government to handle pension liabilities, not everyday citizens.
Kamath accused the ruling government of planning to extort crores by adding 36 paise per unit to electricity bills—effectively extracting hundreds or even thousands from each household. He criticized the government for already raising electricity charges and worsening the financial strain on the people.
He also took aim at the tenfold price hike of smart meters—from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000—calling it unreasonable and noting that the High Court had previously condemned the move. “Despite judicial censure, the administration continues its anti-people decisions,” Kamath remarked.
The protest witnessed participation from party leaders including Ramesh Kandettu, Ramesh Hegde, Lallesh Kumar, Poornima, Vasant J. Poojary, Nithin Kumar, Ravishankar Mijar, Monappa Bhandari, and several others.