12% hike in power tariff not justified: PHD Chamber

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, JULY 16

The Industry in Punjab is already passing through a tough phase and the Electricity Tariff for the year 2012-13 announced by the Regulatory Commission shall further burden the power intensive industry.

Twelve per cent hike is not justified at all. The commission has not given any relief in the cross subsidization in the tariff to the industry and bulk consumers. No road map has been given by commission to abolish this cross subsidization policy by the end of Financial Year 2014-15 as per guidelines of Central Electricity Authority. 

PHD Chamber has been continuously requesting Regulatory Commission that the tariff should be on voltage supply basis i.e. 440 volts, 11 KV, 66 KV and above. No rebate in tariff on high voltage 66 KV and above) has been given, which was justified to minimum 5 %. Many other states are changing Tariff on voltage supply basis. T & D losses are very nominal in the supply of 66 KV and above. 

Therefore the industry deserves the rebate and the Regulatory Commission should reconsider the tariff order. The large industry was buying power from the other states and generating sources under Open Access Policy of the Central Govt. The commission hiked the open access subsidy surcharge during the year 2011-12 to 74.48 paise per unit. Moreover, during the current Financial year, the commission hiked the  wheeling charges heavily on the request of PSPCL vide its order dated 4^th may, 2012. To get power under Open Access Policy is very costly now and totally unviable. PHD Chamber requests Punjab Govt and Regulatory Commission to reconsider the hike in power tariff.