Though none of the Bescom officials, including its in-charge Managing Director Bharat Lal Meena, was available for comment, sources said the power utility, in all probability, will file an appeal before the Centre’s Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (ATE), New Delhi. “But consumers will stand to gain either way - whether Bescom files an appeal or not,” sources said.
For, even if the appeal is filed, as the power utility does whenever an order goes against it, the hearing on the appeal normally takes quite some time (say at least six months). And if Bescom doesn’t file an appeal, it means that it has accepted the KERC’s order, according to official sources.
KERC in its order on January 12, slashed the existing, average, minimum power tariff from Rs 3.56 per unit to Rs 3.29 per unit. The price reduction applies to all category of consumers (domestic, commercial, LT, HT and others), and it may vary between 5 paise and 27 paise per unit to each of these categories. The new tariff comes into effect from February 1.
Bescom officials have been claiming that the new reduced tariff applies for only two months (for February and March, 2008). But it is not true.
Upward revision
“Bescom’s claim may be technically correct because the power utility will soon file a proposal seeking upward revision for 2008-09. But till KERC receives the proposal, conducts hearing and issues its final order, the revised, reduced tariff will be in effect and the entire process, again, takes not less than six months,” sources explained.
Besides, even for seeking an upward tariff revision, Bescom needs to do some real hard work. It has come up with some concrete reasons before the power regulator. It has to be substantiate escalation in charges, as it has been claiming, show clearly how much money has been invested for installations and other operation and maintenance related works, sources said.
WHAT PARTIES SAY
KERC order is good. But it has to be seen who will benefit. But the question is how many days will the reduced tariff be in effect. If things go wrong, there can be a substantial hike in the coming days. This is the fear of the party.
-Mallikarjuna Kharge, Congress
It’s a welcome order. At the same time, reduced tariff should continue for a long time. If the power utility brings down its operation and maintenance costs by taking stringent measures, the tariff may further come down.
-B S Yeddyurappa, BJP
At the outset, it may seem the tariff has come down. But it is not so. The power utility has its own way of manipulating figures.
The party is working out all details as to how consumers are not going to benefit from the order. We will make it public soon.
- Y S V Datta, JD (S)
