BJP petitions MERC to withdraw penalty

Mumbai, Apr 3 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have petitioned Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) to withdraw the penal charges various power companies have decided to levy on the city consumers in case they did not comply with the regulator's order.

Petitioners Kirit Somaiya, Prakash Mehta and Tara Singh today said their review petitions would be heard on April 12.

They have requested the MERC to reconsider its March two order directing BEST, Reliance Energy and Tata Power to levy 100 per cent penalty on consumers using more than 300 units a month if they fail to reduce their consumption by 20 per cent.

They contended that power shortage in Mumbai, if at all it arises, will be less than five per cent and not 20 per cent because the Centre has assured additional supply to the megapolis to meet its energy demand.

UNI PVN SA PA BS2305