Chandigarh, April 2 -- Alleging widespread mismanagement following the privatisation of electricity distribution, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday staged a protest outside CPDL office in Sector 34, over rising tariffs, billing issues even as CPDL said the issues raised by party were addressed during a meeting. Led by AAP Chandigarh unit president, Vijaypal Singh, party leaders accused the authorities of burdening consumers through repeated tariff hikes. They claimed that power rates had been increased in 2024-25, revised again in 2025, and further hiked from April 1, 2026. The reduction of the lower tariff slab from 0-150 units to 0-100 units, they said, has pushed many households into higher billing brackets. Additionally, a surcharge of nearly 20% during peak hours is further escalating costs. AAP leaders also alleged that many consumers received two electricity bills within a span of 15-20 days in March, terming it as "double billing." The introduction of monthly billing from January 2026, they said, has disrupted household budgets, especially for middle- and lower-income families. They further claimed that Chandigarh was witnessing unscheduled cuts daily. It also flagged the imposition of unexplained "sundry charges" ranging from Rs.8,000 to Rs.22,000 on consumer bills. AAP leaders warned of intensifying protests if the issues are not addressed. However, CPDL has stated that the issues raised by the party were addressed during a meeting. It clarified that it has transitioned from a bi-monthly billing system to a monthly billing cycle in compliance with directives issued by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission. Addressing complaints about consumers receiving two bills, the company said that these pertained to two separate consumption periods-January and February-and did not involve any overlap. On the issue of tariff hikes, CPDL said, "As a power distribution company, CPDL only implements tariffs approved by JERC."htc...