Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 14: State energy minister, Shobha Karandlaje, said here on Monday December 13, that the state government will not be implementing the revised power tariff hike as recommended by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC). She said that the government will be filing a review petition against the KERC order.

“Some of the instructions in the order passed by KERC are impossible to follow. Hence, review petition is being filed,” she said.

Shobha pointed out that KERC has stipulated that electricity should not be procured by paying more than four rupees per unit. “Although it is slack season now, electricity is not available at the rate stipulated by the commission. During summer months, prices will shoot up further,” she noted. At the same time, she clarified that the government also wants to lessen the burden on power consumers, who will be compelled to shell out 30 paise more per unit of power consumed, as per the KERC order. “The officials have been studying the KERC verdict in detail. Once their report is received, the timing of the review petition will be decided. Till then, there is no question of revising the power tariff,” she clarified.

She explained that at present, on an average, power is being supplied to rural areas for 17 hours every day, of which three-phase power is provided for six hours, and single phase during the remaining period. She predicted that during summer months too, power supply will not face any crisis, as the state can rely on hydro electricity and thermal power plants in the state.