Electricity tariff revision yet to be introduced; citizens fear hike
As the State enters yet one other lockdown amidst a second, extra aggressive wave of COVID-19 an infection, there may be uneasiness about an impending hike in electrical energy tariff.
For three years in a row, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has not introduced revision in tariffs earlier than the start of a brand new monetary yr. And with retrospective tariffs for the earlier monetary yr set to be adjusted within the subsequent two years, citizens are bracing for a attainable hike.
The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) had sought a mean hike of ₹1.39 per unit for FY 2021-22, and officers had stated that mounted fees is the primary element of the hike and is extra pronounced for 3 classes: HT connections, momentary connections and IP units.
In November 2020, seven months after the brand new fiscal commenced, the KERC had introduced improve in tariff by a mean 40 paise per unit. But, the fee had determined to make the brand new tariffs relevant from November as an alternative of April, saying it’s to be certain that customers aren’t burdened through the hostile financial situations through the pandemic.
Bescom had requested for ₹1.96 per unit hike citing a income deficit of ₹5,872.08 crore for 2020-21.
However, the fee had clarified that the reduction is just momentary as ₹1,443 crore that will have been recovered as extra income in direction of tariff revision for seven months from April 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020, towards the entire income hole of ₹2,473 crore, has been saved as “regulatory asset” to be recovered from the customers within the monetary years 2022 and 2023.
Apart from the pandemic, pendency of an enchantment filed by KPTCL earlier than the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (ATE) towards a KERC order issued in January 2020, which was disposed in October, and the election code of conduct coming into power due to the byelections additionally triggered delay, the fee had stated.
This yr, once more, the pandemic, in addition to the code of conduct for elections resulted in a delay in pronouncement of tariffs.
Though no KERC official, together with the chairman, was accessible for remark regardless of repeated makes an attempt, sources within the electrical energy provide corporations (Escoms) stated that they had earlier obtained communication from the fee that the tariff revision had been postponed.
“We then heard that the announcement would happen after the elections. Escoms will find it difficult as we have to raise short term loans. In addition, generation and power supply hasn’t stopped,” stated a senior official, who wished to stay nameless.
Consumption drops
Officials additionally stated consumption had dropped, maybe owing to the latest rain in addition to lockdown and pandemic impact.
“The consumption is around 9000 MW now, and we are assuming IP set load falling due to the rain to be one of the reasons. In April first week, it had reached 14,000 MW. We can manage for a month or two without revision, but it will be difficult if we have to wait an additional six months along with last year’s pending arrears,” stated the official.