Plan To Increase Power Tariff To Rs 6.48 Per Unit

Manveer Saini | TNN

Chandigarh: In a move that may shock Haryana government, the power distribution companies (discoms) have proposed a subsidy of Rs 9,178.64 crore for their operations in Haryana for 2009-10.
In an annual revenue requirement (ARR) submitted to Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) earlier this month, the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) as well as the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), have proposed to fix Rs 6.48 per unit as power tariff against Rs 4.14 approved by HERC last year.
The UHBVN has proposed a subsidy of Rs 5,100 crore and the rest is that of DHBVN. It’s an unpleasant surprise for over 15 lakh power consumers across the state, who now apprehend a 56% hike in tariff.
The DHVBN caters to southern Haryana — Gurgaon, Faridabad and Palwal districts of the NCR of Delhi. The areas under jurisdiction of UHBVN are Rohtak, Sonepat, Jhajjar, Karnal, Panipat, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Yamunanagar and Panchkula.
Interestingly, the proposal comes after the HERC allowed a subsidy of Rs 2359.30 crore proposed by two Discoms for the current financial year.
The ARR is a document submitted by HERC for planning meant for next financial year. According to a report, the Discoms were to submit the ARR to the HERC by November 30. The latter takes four months for disposing of the same so that companies could start their operations for the fresh financial year.
‘‘ We are studying the ARRs and will put up a public notice inviting objections and suggestions from the public. Thereafter, we will be able to reach some decision,’’ said Tej Singh Tewatia, HERC member, while confirming the figures of subsidy proposed by distribution companies.
Meanwhile, speaking to TOI over phone, the Haryana power minister Randeep Singh Surjewala outrightly dismissed the ARR. ‘‘ So far as the ARR is concerned, these are project expenses to be incurred by distribution companies on the basis of recurring expenditure over the years. These figures vary from time to time and are incurred to arrange electricity supply and I think it includes arrears of expenses incurred by the previous government which has started reflecting now—I wish you could also correct the figures,’’ Surjewala said.
Meanwhile, Sampat Singh, the INLD national spokesperson and former finance minister, too, confirmed the proposed subsidy by Discoms. ‘‘ We have recently downloaded the ARRs from the UHBVN and DHVBN’s websites. We are carefully studying the reports and wouldfile our objections before the two companies as well as the commission,’’ Singh said.

OTHER AREAS

A shortfall in production of electricity from 13,287 MW recorded in current financial year to 12,472 MW for 2009-10
Distribution losses up to 25% and interstate transmission losses rise to 3.85%
Proposed purchasing 1,400 MU @ Rs 5.45 through unscheduled interchange and 2,950 MU through short-term agreement @ Rs 5.90 per unit