<p>Hubballi: The Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) has proposed a hike of an average 69 paisa per unit of electricity supplied and Rs 40 rise in fixed charges for 2025-26.</p><p>Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which has received the application from the Hescom for price revision for next three years and objections from organisations and individuals, will decide the price revision. The Hescom’s financial condition and need to revise the prices for next three years was presented before the KERC by Hescom Managing Director Vyshali M L.</p><p>At the KERC public hearing meeting held at the Hescom head office at Navanagar in Hubballi on Thursday, various organisations including Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) opposed the proposal for revision, and also demanded solutions for lacunae in electricity supply.</p><p>G G Hegde from Sirsi stressed the need to make a separate category for MSMEs, and complained about Hescom not having correct number of irrigation pump sets, cross-subsidy amount, and not disclosing audit report. “I may get threatening calls also for speaking all this,” he said.</p><p>Nonpayment of delay charges under SRTPV scheme, not collecting deposits for connection to new borewells, shortage of staff, interruption in power supply, need to have an Indian Engineering Service officer as Hescom managing director, and not properly maintaining express lines were among the issues raised by citizens and representatives of different areas in the region.</p><p>KERC Chairman P Ravi Kumar asked Hescom officials to create better awareness about self-reading of meters and pre-paid meters, and to ensure proper power supply especially for industries. KERC members H K Jagadeesh, and Jawaid Akhtar were present.</p><p><strong>Revision sought</strong> </p><p>HESCOM covering seven districts has a staff shortage of 6,366, HESCOM MD Vyshali M L said, it has 54.14 lakh connections, majority of which are domestic but consumption is more by IP sets. </p><p>HESCOM supplied more units in the drought year of 2023-24, and the projection for 2024-25 is 14,302 million units. Revenue improved after the government waived of pending bills of Gram Panchayats. For purchase of power, Rs 9,039 crore is approved for 2024-25, she said.</p><p>The HESCOM’s request for revision in tariff per unit for next three financial year was 60 paisa for 2025-26, Rs 1.18 for 2026-27 ad Rs 1.32 for 2027-28, along with Rs 40, Rs 70 and Rs 80 hike in fixed charges respectively. Proposal also includes revision of energy charges by of 35 paisa, 60 paisa, and 65 paisa per unit respectively for three years.</p><p>The requirement for next three years will be Rs 13,238.27 crore, 14,464.44 crore and 15,263.57 crore respectively. With existing charges, shortage will be 971.01 crore, 1,731.30 crore and 2,007.68 crore respectively, Vyshali said.</p>
<p>Hubballi: The Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) has proposed a hike of an average 69 paisa per unit of electricity supplied and Rs 40 rise in fixed charges for 2025-26.</p><p>Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which has received the application from the Hescom for price revision for next three years and objections from organisations and individuals, will decide the price revision. The Hescom’s financial condition and need to revise the prices for next three years was presented before the KERC by Hescom Managing Director Vyshali M L.</p><p>At the KERC public hearing meeting held at the Hescom head office at Navanagar in Hubballi on Thursday, various organisations including Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) opposed the proposal for revision, and also demanded solutions for lacunae in electricity supply.</p><p>G G Hegde from Sirsi stressed the need to make a separate category for MSMEs, and complained about Hescom not having correct number of irrigation pump sets, cross-subsidy amount, and not disclosing audit report. “I may get threatening calls also for speaking all this,” he said.</p><p>Nonpayment of delay charges under SRTPV scheme, not collecting deposits for connection to new borewells, shortage of staff, interruption in power supply, need to have an Indian Engineering Service officer as Hescom managing director, and not properly maintaining express lines were among the issues raised by citizens and representatives of different areas in the region.</p><p>KERC Chairman P Ravi Kumar asked Hescom officials to create better awareness about self-reading of meters and pre-paid meters, and to ensure proper power supply especially for industries. KERC members H K Jagadeesh, and Jawaid Akhtar were present.</p><p><strong>Revision sought</strong> </p><p>HESCOM covering seven districts has a staff shortage of 6,366, HESCOM MD Vyshali M L said, it has 54.14 lakh connections, majority of which are domestic but consumption is more by IP sets. </p><p>HESCOM supplied more units in the drought year of 2023-24, and the projection for 2024-25 is 14,302 million units. Revenue improved after the government waived of pending bills of Gram Panchayats. For purchase of power, Rs 9,039 crore is approved for 2024-25, she said.</p><p>The HESCOM’s request for revision in tariff per unit for next three financial year was 60 paisa for 2025-26, Rs 1.18 for 2026-27 ad Rs 1.32 for 2027-28, along with Rs 40, Rs 70 and Rs 80 hike in fixed charges respectively. Proposal also includes revision of energy charges by of 35 paisa, 60 paisa, and 65 paisa per unit respectively for three years.</p><p>The requirement for next three years will be Rs 13,238.27 crore, 14,464.44 crore and 15,263.57 crore respectively. With existing charges, shortage will be 971.01 crore, 1,731.30 crore and 2,007.68 crore respectively, Vyshali said.</p>
