Meghalaya to maintain old power tariff rates

Shillong, Dec 18 (UNI) The Meghalaya government has decided to maintain the present tariff supply of electricity by the Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MeSEB).

Earlier, the MeSEB proposal for 100 per cent hike in power tariff had evoked strong opposition from various sections of the society, arguing that the hike would hit the common man hard.

Annoucing the new tariff for supply of electricity by MeSEB yesterday, Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC) Chairman Vinay Kohli declared that all the existing rates for supply of electricity would remain unchanged.

The declaration of the new tariff by the MSERC was in pursuance of the provision in Part VII of the Electricity Act, 2003.

''A fixed/demand charged was also introduced for all categories of consumers wherein for domestic low tension consumers, the fixed charge will be at Rs 20 per KW monthly, and for industrial extra high tension consumers, the demand charge will be Rs 80 per KW.

Other consumer categories are already paying a demand charge and the existing rates have been merely rationalised,'' Mr Kohli said.

The chairman informed that from the proposed Rs 443.07 crore, the annual revenue requirement of the MeSEB had been pared down to Rs 277.62 crore.

Mr Kohli said it was largely due to the improved water availability and resultant positive impact of generation. Besides, the prescription for a phased programme to reduce commercial losses and the losses in transmission and distribution were the highlights of the new tariff.

''The Board has also been asked to improve efficiency levels in all operational areas while special reference has been made to realise Rs 65 crore due from different government departments and institutions,'' the chairman said.

UNI