Kejriwal launches move to end inflated utility bills

Arvind Kejriwal, the social activist closely associated with Anna Hazare till he decided to go political, took his virulently anti-government stance a step further today by announcing a 'bijli-pani satyagraha' in New Delhi to protest against ''inflated'' power and water bills and tariff hikes.

His first step was apparently to restore the electricity connection of the household of a labourer in Delhi's Tigri Colony who got a probably incorrect bill for Rs15,000. His power was disconnected when he failed to pay the bill.

Reports were unclear about how exactly Kejriwal and his supporters restored the connection – by paying the amount themselves or taking other action.

However that may be, Kejriwal seems to have gone a little overboard on his anti-corruption and pro-people agenda, telling people to stop paying their utility bills.

"Bijli-Paani satyagraha has started in Delhi. Stop paying electricity and water bills till Delhi government withdraws tariff hikes. Let's unite and fight corruption. If they disconnect power, people will reach in large numbers to reconnect," Kejriwal said. He added that Delhi would show the way in this ''civil disobedience movement'' – a term first coined by Mahatma Gandhi.

"I will personally come and reconnect your electricity connection if they disconnect. I will take the punishment. We are ready to go to jail for this. Let's not accept corruption and injustice," he said.