The leaders of Congress and party workers held widespread demonstrations outside electricity offices across Odisha on Monday, protesting the imposition of the Additional Security Deposit (ASD) on domestic power consumers.
Several party leaders including Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das, former Union Minister Srikant Jena, and State Women’s Wing Chief Meenakshi Bahinipati led a massive protest outside the Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) office in Bhubaneswar.
The situation escalated when protesters attempted to gherao the office. However, security personnel shut the main gates and the party workers responded by locking the entrance from the outside.
Police eventually detained several activists to disperse the crowd.
During the protest, Bhakta Charan Das accused the state government and power companies of exploiting citizens in the name of ASD and the introduction of smart meters.
“Electricity is a basic need like food, clothes, and house. If its supply is stopped, life will come to a standstill. Therefore, the government should provide at least 300 units of electricity free,” he demanded.
He also demanded free power for farmers of the state.
Das appealed to the public to raise voice against the exploitation in the name of ASD.
“We staged a protest in front of the District Electricity Department in Bhubaneshwar against Tata Power for imposing an unfair financial burden on consumers in the name of Additional Security Deposit (ASD). Congress Party demands: • 300 units of free electricity for domestic consumers • Free electricity for farmers • Immediate withdrawal of ASD system • Suspension of smart meter implementation until its credibility is proven,” Das said in a post from his X handle.
We staged a protest in front of the District Electricity Department in Bhubaneshwar against Tata Power for imposing an unfair financial burden on consumers in the name of Additional Security Deposit (ASD).
Congress Party demands:
• 300 units of free electricity for domestic… pic.twitter.com/xBPgDvbJub— Bhakta Charan Das (@BhaktaCharanDas) December 29, 2025
Srikant Jena highlighted a disparity in industrial versus domestic pricing. He alleged that while industries in other states pay roughly Rs 8 per unit, they are charged only Rs 4.50 in Odisha.
Jena argued that if the distribution companies require more revenue, they should increase tariffs for industrial giants rather than burdening ordinary citizens.
“Instead of putting the additional financial burden on consumers, the government should think of giving 300 units of free power to the public,” Jena demanded.
Similar protests were reported in districts including Cuttack, Khurda, Kalahandi, Bolangir, and Jagatsinghpur.
However, Tata Power has maintained its stance.
In a recent press conference, CEOs of Tata Power Distribution Companies clarified that the ASD is a statutory mandate under the Electricity Act of 2003 and follows the regulations set by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).
