Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Jul 30: The United Arunachal People's Forum (UAPF) has announced a peaceful mass public rally in the state capital on August 3 in support of its three-point demands, including the scrapping of prepaid smart electricity meters, provision of free electricity for domestic consumers and de-reservation of certain areas in Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, UAPF convenor Charu Govin alleged that the prepaid smart metering system has become a burden for economically weaker households. He claimed many families are unable to recharge their prepaid meters immediately after exhausting their balance, leading to disruption of electricity supply. He also alleged that service and convenience charges on prepaid recharges have added to consumers' hardship, particularly for elderly people and residents of remote areas with limited access to digital payment facilities.
The Forum demanded that the state government scrap the smart metering system and provide up to 1,000 units of free electricity per month to domestic consumers in village areas, arguing that the benefits of Arunachal Pradesh's vast hydropower potential should reach its residents.
On its third demand, Govin called for the de-reservation of certain parts of the ICR and adjoining areas. He claimed that land falling under reserved forest and wildlife sanctuary notifications has left many residents without legal land documents and has hindered development activities on private land.
According to Govin, large parts of the present-day ICR were notified as Durpang Reserved Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1979, when Arunachal Pradesh was still a Union Territory.
Appealing for public participation, the UAPF convenor urged citizens to join the proposed rally peacefully, stating that the issues raised by the Forum concern the welfare and rights of the people.