Varanasi powerloom workers on strike demanding electricity bill waiver

The workers of the powerloom industry are on strike in Varanasi, demanding a waiver of the electricity bill till December.

According to the workers, they are being charged as per the electricity metres since January 2020. This has come after the government withdrew the ‘flat rate’ subsidy which was offered to powerloom workers.

Maqbool Hasan, a powerloom worker speaking to ANI on Tuesday said, “In 2006, the electricity rates were lower, that is, Rs 65 per half a Kilowatt and Rs 130 per Kilowatt. Since January, the rates have been increased.

“We are already bearing huge losses due to COVID-19, how will we pay these bills?” said Hasan adding that “we want 2006 electricity rates back”.