Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 28: Managing director of Mangalore Electricity Supply Co Ltd (Mescom), Chikkananjappa, said that hiking of electrical tariff is imminent as the company has to spend large funds for purchase of power and improve the quality of its power distribution network to stand up to the expectations of its consumers.

He was speaking at the public meeting held at the office of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district here to discuss the power hike proposals mooted by electricity supply companies, which are under the consideration of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), on Monday February 27.

"There has been considerable increase in the quantum of power being purchased at high cost, and also expenditure. Inflation, hiring of staff etc have also contributed to the increased maintenance cost. We have an outstanding payment of about Rs 700 crore. Therefore, we have placed a request with KERC for hiking the electrical tariff by Rs 1.48 per unit," he stated. 

Objecting to the proposal, B V Poojary from Udupi requested KERC to permit minimum increase because of drought conditions prevailing here. Satyanarayana Udupa, also from Udupi, objected to the proposal and suggested to Mescom to improve its working and make good the loss. He said that Mescom cites cost of new works each time it comes up with proposal for tariff hike, but it does not spend even 60 percent of the amount mentioned. He therefore found no reason for increasing cost of power. Many others came up with suggestions and requests for various facilities.

President of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jeevan Saldanha, Srinivs Kamath, B A Nazeer, Ramakrishna Sharma Udupi, Sooryanarayana of MSEZ, A G Pai of JBF and others also came forth with their suggestions and grievances.

Chairman of KERC, M K Shankaralinge Gowda, said that the commission will consider those suggestions which are found to be worthy. He said that the commission will soon prescribe fines for not responding to consumer complaints in a time-bound manner. He stated that distribution of about 2,000 mw solar power that would be generated has been posing a problem. He said that the power tariff hike, if permitted, will come into affect from April 1 this year.