Consumers oppose Mescom proposal to increase power tariff at KERC meet

Bussinessline Bureau

Mangalore, Oct. 16

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) is likely to pass an order on the petitions by the electricity supply companies (Escoms) in the State, by November 20. Escoms in the State had sought an increase of 51 paise per unit of power.

In an informal chat with presspersons on the sidelines of the second day hearing by KERC here on Friday, Mr K.P. Pandey, KERC Chairman, said that the commission will make necessary amendments to its 2008 order on power tariff, as Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (ATE), Delhi, delivered its judgment on October 9. The Escoms had challenged the 2008 order of KERC at ATE.

In the 2008 order, the KERC had determined the annual revenue requirement and power tariff for Escoms for multi-year tariff period 2007-08 to 2009-10.

The two-day hearing of the KERC came to an end here on Friday. Many consumers opposed the proposal of the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) to increase the power tariff by 51 paise per unit.

Representatives of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Karnataka Coastal Ice Plant and Cold Storage Owners’ Association, and Laghu Udyog Bharathi took part in the Friday’s hearing. Mr Jayaram Alva, Financial Advisor of Mescom, spoke on behalf of the company.