Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Nov 24: Representatives of a number of organizations hailing from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur, and Shimoga districts, resented in unison to the proposal by the Mescoms to affect a uniform increase of 75 paise in the price of every unit of power consumed, barring agricultural sector. A hearing of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission had been organized in the city on Tuesday November 23 to give an opportunity to the consumers to air their objections if any.
Chairman of the commission, M R Srinivasa Murty, informed that the exercise of receiving petitions for the above proposal from the general public has been completed in all zones except Mysore. He informed that the commission will submit its report on the proposal to the government immediately after the programme in Mysore is held.
Making a presentation at the programme, managing director of Mangalore Electric Supply Company Ltd (Mescom), S Sumanth, claimed that in spite of various problems faced by the company, Mescom has succeeded in supplying power in excess of the one fixed by the government. He said that Mescom has improved its performance under various efficiency parameters like data transfer catalogue failure rate and power transmission and distribution losses, in spite of being crippled by a shortage of 41% in staff strength. He informed that a proposal to supply CFL bulbs at concessional rates is under the consideration of the government, and hoped that this proposal will get the necessary nod soon. He also explained about the Smart Grid plan that was successfully implemented in Kadri Heights residential complex in the city, which helps to regulate power supply and provide power at least for lighting, television etc., without shutting down the power completely in case of shortage. He added that this plan is proposed to be extended to all the cities in the state.
Srinivas Kudi, representing Kissan Sangh, said that the farmers have suffered very much this year because of untimely and excessive rains. “The farmers have been finding it hard even to feed their families. If the power tariff is raised, they may be forced to sell of their lands,” he said. Narasimha Nayak of Teerthahalli Agricultural Pump Consumers Association said that the agriculturists have not been demanding power free of cost, but they want uninterrupted supply of quality power. Karavali Ice Plant Owners Association’s representative, Ashok Kumar, said that electricity charges for ice plants in Kerala and Goa have been half of what is being charged in Karnataka, and demanded for fixing of separate tariff for this industry. Karavali Prawns Pisciculture Association secretary, Sridhar Hegede, demanded for facilities for them at par with farmers.
Members of the commission, Srinivas Rao, and V G Hiremutt, were present. S S Kamath from Canara Chamber of Commerce, Power Consumers Union general secretary, B T Narayan Bhat, representative of Small Scale Industries Association, B A Nazeer, Bharatiya Kissan Sangha Puttur unit general secretary, Vijayakrishna, and various other representatives of organizations were present.