Consumers flay proposed power tariff hike

MESCOM had proposed to hike 75 paise per unit. However, the opposition came along with appreciation to the efforts of MESCOM in supplying quality power to the consumers.

Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association’s Rajaram Shetty said “we reject the proposal to hike the tariff. The consumer should not be burdened with the hike in the power tariff. There should be periodic maintenance of line and equipment by the Mescom.

Mescom has failed to install 100 per cent metering. The Mescom authorities have not provided audited balance sheet.”

Karnataka Coastal Ice Plant Owners Association’s Ashok Kumar said “we were given subsidy in electricity for one year. The cost of ice is higher in Mangalore and Udupi compared to that of Kasargod and Goa as ice plants come under industrial sector. Ice plants should be categorised under seasonal industry and all the benefits of a seasonal industry should be extended to ice plants.”

Karavali Shrimp Association’s Sridhar Hegde urged the Mescom and Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission to treat shrimp farmers on par with the other farmers.

“We want all the benefits, which the farmers enjoy. We are charged for commercial purpose.”

Vijay Krishna Bhat of Bharathiya Kissan Sangha, Puttur questioned if the hike is required every year. Electricity connections must be given for Irrigation Pumpsets (IP) in Bantwal, Sullia and Belthangady, he said

Udupi Jilla Krishikara Sangha’s Srinivas Bhat Kudi said “there is no need to classify the farmers. All should get free electricity. The hike in the tariff will definitely force the farmers to sell their land as farmers are incurring loss in crops due to untimely rainfall. All consumers should have meters.”

Ramakrishna Sharma said “when there is reduction in transmission loss, there is no need to revise the tariff. Concession for solar water heaters should be extended to solar lights as well. A 24-hour helpline should be extended to the rural areas. ”

Theerthahalli Krishi Pumpset Balakedarara Sangha’s Narasimha Nayak said “when Mescom cannot provide uninterrupted power supply then what was the need to revise the tariff. We have not asked for free power supply. We want uninterrupted power supply. There are hundreds of illegal pumpsets in the state. All the Escoms should initiate action against those unauthorised pumpsets.” 

Udupi Consumer Forum’s A B Kodancha said “MESCOM should recruit more linemen and meter readers. Meters should be checked periodically. CFL lamps should be given at confessional rate by the MESCOM. Incentives should be provided for those who pay the bill promptly. Loss due to voltage fluctuation should be borne by the MESCOM.”

Balakedarara Okkuta President Narayana Bhat said “concession should be provided for the use of arecanut peeling machine. Lightning arrester should be installed in all the transformers.”

Bharathiya Kissan Sangha’s Sathyanarayana Udupa said Commission should conduct a separate check on the audit report of all the Escoms in the state. It should also order for an independent audit report.

The KERC Chairman M R Srinivasmurthy, members Srinivas Rao and V G Hiremat were present.