Joshi urges state govt to withdraw electricity rate hike

Hubballi: Union minister Pralhad Joshi demanded that the state govt immediately withdraw its decision to increase electricity rates for industrial and commercial use.On Wednesday, Joshi told reporters that the state govt increased the prices of 50 items and decided to increase electricity rates on a large scale again. "This is the mismanagement," he lashed.Joshi said that chief minister Siddaramaiah is still in power because the Congress high command is weak. If they became strong, Siddaramaiah would be removed from the CM position, he said."Foreign policy is being formulated keeping in mind the interests of the country. India has never bowed down to anyone. The opposition parties are ignoring the interests of the country and opposing it in the heat of opposing Modi. This is a tragedy," he said."It is natural that when there is a problem in oil-producing countries, it will affect India. However, we have enough oil reserves for 70 days. The relevant departments are monitoring this," he said.Phone tapping is a serious matter. The Congress did not deny this. The home minister said that intelligence information is being collected. There should be a thorough investigation into this, he said.