Mangaluru, February 11: Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has been approached by various electricity supply companies in the state placing a request to consent to the proposed tariff hike of 80 paise per unit.
KERC, had invited for objections from power consumers for said proposal, conducted public meeting on Tuesday February 10th, to hear the grievances of consumers falling under jurisdiction of Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) at the DK district deputy commissioner office auditorium in the city.
Chikkananjappa, managing director – Mescom, explained that there is a mismatch between the prices, as production cost of Rs 5.91 per unit does not match with the average income of Rs 5.06 the company receives from its consumers. He also argued that power purchase expenditure, interest, and other financial burdens expenses have raised abruptly, owing to the raise in the power cost. He argued that per unit of power there is a shortage of 95 paise.
During the meeting, objections were posed to the proposed hike by various consumer organizations, farmer organizations, industries and others.
Venkatagiri Bhat, speaking on behalf of Consumers Forum, pointed out that since 2006, the amount pending from consumers and others to the electricity supply companies happens to be Rs 393 crores, and if the company collects these dues, truly they can reduce the current power price by 4.5 paise per unit.
M R Srinivasamurthy, Chairman of the commission, informed that 2,015 objections has been received from all over the state on proposed hike in power tariff, out of which 1,900 are from Mescom jurisdiction.
He said that by March 31st, the commission would forward its report to the government, based on which the government will decide on tariff hike. He said that the government has been urged to pay attention to Rs 390 crore due to electricity supply companies, and also to settle government’s own dues to these companies.
