KERC for differential tariff regime

Mysore, Oct 9 (UNI) The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) today indicated that it was open to differential tariff in each of the five distribution companies in the State.

The power tariff regulator would come out with its order on October 16 on the revision petitions filed by the five companies.

Speaking to reporters here, KERC Chairman K P Pandey said the Commission, which had continued with uniform retail tariff to consumers, was inching towards doing away with the practice of awarding brownie points for performance ESCOM-wise.

Stating that the KERC was open to ring in differential tariff regime, he, however, said the State Government was not in favour of it. The Government held that the time was not ripe for such an arrangement and even it was not well informed on differential tariff regime.

One of the objectives of the Commission was to rationalise power tariff and there could not be uniform rates all the time. If that was the case why at all this corporation, Mr Pandey said, explaining the reasons that led to the creation of the Commission.

To a question, he said there was marked improvement in the efficiency of power utilities, but it was not enough due to high transmission and distribution losses.

A public hearing was held on the revision petitions filed by the various companies for nearly four hours in the city.

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