Final hearing on power tariff hike in Bangalore on Sept 19

Mysore, Sept 11 (UNI) Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will hold final hearing on power tariff hike proposed by different Electricity Companies in the State in Bangalore on September 19.

KERC Chairman K P Pandey, who is currently touring the State to collect public opinion on the proposal for a hike by the Power supply companies, told newsmen here after a public hearing, that "the final public hearing on the issue would be held in Bangalore on September 19.

He said that about 16000 objections have been received from all over the state and KERC would take final decision on the issue after final hearing.

During public hearing here, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company (CESC) proposed hike in the power tariff by 0.90 paise per unit.

People including domestic and industrial consumers participated in the hearing.

Hebbal Industrialists Association General Secretary Suresh Kumar Jain warned that the industries would strongly protest any hike in the power tariff as the sector was already in crisis and moreover, though KERC had suggested reduction of 15 paise per unit last year, it was not implemented by the CESC, he alleged.

Head of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangha Udupi said that objections should be sought 120 days before CESC applying for a rise in power tariff, now the company was doing it simultaneously which was illegal. The distribution was improper with losses amounting to 26 percent. All that burden was being passed on to the consumers and literally hood winking them claiming huge losses, he criticised.

UNI