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ODHISA:POWER TARIFF MAY SOAR TO RS 6.80 PER UNIT
The Odisha Electricity Consumers’ Association on Monday apprehended that domestic consumers would have to pay Rs 6.80 per unit against the existing tariff of Rs 4.80 this year due to the inefficiency of the State Government and the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC).
“If we examine the power tariff hike proposals of the power distribution, generation and transmission companies submitted to the OERC, there may be a hike of Rs 6.80 per unit from this year. However, we strongly opposed it at the ongoing public hearing being held by the OERC,” said association president Ramesh Satpathy.
He said the power distribution companies have been demanding before the OERC that nearly 65 lakh customers have used 24,550 units in 2016-17 and the demand would increase to 25,877 units in 2017-18.
“However, only 50 per cent of the estimated power reaches the people due to the mismanagement and inefficiency of the State Government,” rued Satpathy. Holding the State Government solely responsible for the present power crisis and possible power tariff hike, Satpathy said though Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) was formed 20 years ago to generate more power by renovating Burla, Chipilima, Balimela, Rengali, Upperkolab, Upper Indravati and Macchakunda projects, but the corporation is yet to have a CMD to look into the daily affairs.
He said this year OHPC has generated mere 5,800 million units against the 7,000 million units earlier.
The OHPC currently places its electricity generation costs at Rs 1.82 per unit. However, it is supplying electricity at 83 paisa per unit. OPGC also batted for a tariff hike to Rs 2.2 from existing tariffs of Rs 1.9. Gridco has sought 46 per cent tariff hike. Projecting a revenue deficit of Rs 3214.39 crore at the existing bulk supply price (BSP) of power, the Grid Corporation of Odisha Limited (Gridco) has demanded 46 per cent hike in the BSP for 2017-18. Montae Nicholson Jersey
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