Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 14: Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Mescom) has urged Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to permit it to hike the power tariff by 62 paise per unit. It has said that there has been steep hike in maintenance cost in the light of higher power purchase expenditure, supply of quality power etc. The consumers, who strongly objected to this demand, demanded to lower the charges as Mescom is revenue surplus.
The hearing took place at the auditorium of the office of the Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner on Thursday February 13. It was presided over by KERC chairman Shambhu Dayal Meena.
Mescom managing director Snehal R, speaking on the occasion, noted that electricity supply companies are expected to meet the expectations of consumers by purchasing power, maintaining power distribution network with quality and getting involved with consumer-friendly initiatives. She sought approval of the demand made to enhance power tariff by 62 paise per unit in view of higher purchase cost of power and increased maintenance cost.
Bharathiya Kissan Sangha, KCCI, Small Scale Industries Chamber, Ice Plant Owners Association and other organizations, individuals and farmers resisted this demand. They urged the commission to dump the demand made to hike tariff. Udupi Kissan Sangh leader Satyanarayana Udupa, said that Mescom is earning profit as per the report. He said that if over a thousand crore rupees due from the government is recovered, Mescom does not need any funds by way of burdening new consumers in the name of development fee etc. He also questioned Mescom's habit of asking farmers to remit fine of Rs 10,000 for regularizing illegal pump sets, and also levying similar amount for new pump sets in the name of development fee. He wanted to know how Mescom can claim to have supplied good quality power when it is working with 50 percent staff strength. Bharathiya Kissan Sangh leader from Chikkamagaluru, Prarameshwarappa, wanted three phase power to farmers during the day instead of night as they work during the day.
Members of KERC H M Manjunath and MD Ravi were present.