Udupi: United struggle of electricity consumers likely to bring down revised tariff

By Benedict Noronha
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 22 Mar 2015: Unite and fight malpractices. Save power and save people from looting by unfair means by the authority. Unity has strength and fighting will lead to success and fair administration. It is for the good of all.

 
The electricity consumers of district met at Mahajan Hall of Hotel Kidiyoor, here on Monday March 16, to discuss about the electricity problems faced by the consumers and frequent unscheduled power cut (load shedding). The electricity department had on false grounds filed petition to revise the power tariff in Karnataka and the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has on hearing the opposition filed by the electricity consumers have revised the tariff on February 2 for all classes of electricity users.

 
There were a number of parties opposing the revision of power tariff. Yet the KERC- the authority to consider revision have decided to revise the tariff and the same appeared in News papers. There is an average of about 15 to 23 paisa per unit involving about 50 to 150-00 rupees per consumer (household) per month, which was unwarranted.

 
The reasons for revisions as put forth by the KPTCL are that they face huge loss. They have perhaps not considered the pilferage, stealing of power and free power used by lac of their employees and also free supply to various socio economic groups, where Power measuring meters are not installed.

 
It was and has been the demand of every one that all installations be connected to meters, including the Bhagya Jyoti, agricultural pump-sets and employees and certain percentage concession could be given to all these classes, so that there would be control on use of electricity. In the absence of control, misuses have become a way of life and of course lead to loss to the exchequer. But this is certainly controllable.

 

 

The most tragic news is that maladministration. During the year 2014-15, according to the (Controller & Auditor General) CAG’ s findings, KPTCL has not properly used the Power available by distribution and thus loss occurred amounted to about Rs 1,435 crore. The news papers ironically put as this factor was the reasons for revision of power tariff.

 

According to law, the reasons for revision must be just and correct. Public must be given an opportunity to have their say and the authority must consider all the pros & cons and decide with a view to render justice to all within the spirit of natural justice.

In the present revision the reasons given were not true. The causes of loss could have been avoided with a diligent management. The Power purchased was in excess of need. The power generated in all sources was sufficient for proper use and load shedding was not necessary. It is the ‘Load Shedding’ with improper manner of calculations and assessment, has resulted in loss of excess spending and not use of the power available. Hence, it’s the loss caused by the mismanagement. The concerned management must be punished for their negligence.

 
Earlier, revision of tariff was held once in 2 or 3 years. Now for the last 3 years, this has been regular and every year. What a huge loss in the process? It could certainly be avoided.

 
The legal luminaries are of the view that the revision exercise was on untrue facts and information hiding the real and proper causes which were the departmental handling mistakes. For such reasons of maladministration penal action must be meted. Therefore, it is the KPTCL with concerned personnel must be made to make good the loss so that in future they would be careful.

 
Therefore, it is necessary that an organization to take legal action against the KPTCL, be formed and collective action by means of a Public Interest Litigation Writ is to be filed. This is a great task and could be initiated if support is forthcoming. The advantages of such step would to the housing, and business house-complexes, hotels and offices including courts that use power generators and consume large amount of diesel, which is an avoidable expenses. Therefore they can join hands and strengthen the organization to fight this cause.

 

They may contact the members of the committee and support the cause. It would be beneficial to all electricity consumers.