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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 20: Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company Ltd (Mescom) had approached Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), seeking to hike power tariff by Rs 1.67 per unit. The people have vehemently opposed the proposal and demanded to bring down the electricity charges.

The chairman of KERC who heard the grievances, said that the commission's orders would be issued later.

The public hearing on the power tariff revision proposal was held at the office of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district here on Friday February 19. KERC chairman, Shambhu Dayal Meena, presided over the meeting. Members of the commission, M D Ravi and Manjunath, were present. Mescom managing director, Prashanth Kumar Mishra, gave a presentation about the financial results of his company.

The KERC chairman said that expert consultancy teams will check select works for quality aspect and if there are any defects, this issue will also be considered when considering tariff revision. Based on complaints received from the people, he directed Mescom head to take steps against the misuse of vehicles and maintain transparency in the operations of the staff. He also warned that it has been noticed that the auditor of the company has been trying to mislead the managing director of the company. He suggested that quality of equipment and materials should be verified before purchasing them.

MLA Araga Jnanendra, said that except Thirthahalli town, the entire Malnad area hardly gets power for four hours every day. He said that for even changing the transformers, the consumers have to provide money and vehicle. He opposed tariff hike proposal.

Jnanendra said that many are ready to produce solar power and supply the same to Mescom at the rate of Rs 4 per unit and asked Mescom to be prepared to purchase this power. He also suggested that immediate compensation should be disbursed in case of electricity-related tragedies.

Devidas Shkettigar sought to fix separate rates for ice plants which are reeling under the after affects of coronavirus infection. The people also came up with suggestions like recovery of dues to improve the financial condition.

Mescom MD, Prashanth Kumar Mishra, said that his company is staring at income deficit of Rs 943.46 crore and to offset this shortage, hike of Rs 1.67 per unit is very much necessary. He said that in spite of staff shortage, Mescom has been serving its 24.88 lac clientele well.