Days after the BJP state Assembly speaker, Biswajit Daimary advises people to sit under a tree to reduce electricity, Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha on Tuesday was seen sitting under a tree as advised by Daimary.

Reportedly, Purkayastha sat under a tree for an hour or so in front of the official residence of the Assembly Speaker, Biswajit Daimary in Guwahati to save electricity.

"The tariffs have increased by 30 to 70 paisa per unit. This is a huge burden on the citizens. At a time when Congress governments in many states are advocating for free electricity, BJP leaders are issuing insensible comments," Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha stated while speaking to the media.

"Amid rising temperature, the common people are suffering from rising electricity bills, but the State Assembly Speaker has advised people to sit under trees to reduce electricity bills. It is totally unacceptable. As per Speaker advice, as a public representative, I should follow it immediately. So, I went in front of his residence and stayed there under the trees for one hour, but I have not seen him there," he said.

The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) on 2 June said that it had decided to hike the monthly tariff for electricity consumption. 

In regards to this, Assam Assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary said one who cannot afford the hike in the monthly tariff can "sit under a tree".

“The electricity tariff has increased. Don’t switch on the fans if you cannot afford it. Sit under a tree,” Daimary advises people reacting to the hike. 

“The price of electricity is not dependent on the govt. Since the govt purchases electricity from companies and companies increases the price, it's not in our hands,” the BJP leader said.

Daimary further asked the people not to make an issue out of it and instead, try to control the usage to keep their bills to a minimum. 

(With inputs from The Guwahati Times)