The Hindu Business Line : KERC public hearing suggests steps to boost revenues

THE public hearing convened by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on the proposed hike in electricity tariff evoked good response from consumers here on Monday.

While most consumers opposed the proposals for hike in electricity tariff across different categories, some of them suggested ways to boost revenues of electricity supply companies (Escoms).

Mr M. Krishna Bhat, President of the Kanara Small Industries Association (KSIA), said that the KERC should prescribe different tariffs for peak hour and non-peak hour consumers, as in the case of telecom consumers. Stating that different tariff structures during peak and non-peak hours will augment the revenue pool of Escoms, he said such a method is already in practice in Delhi.

Taking note of this suggestion, the KERC President, Mr K.P. Pandey, asked Mr Bhat to send a proposal to the commission in this regard.

Mr Bhat said that different tariff structures should be prescribed for different Escoms based on their efficiency. He said that Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) should not have tariff revision in the pattern of `inefficient' Escoms where the losses are much more.

He said that Escoms in Karnataka should follow Tata Electric in giving incentives for prompt payments. Those who pay promptly should be given concession in their power bills.

Stressing the need for proper energy audit in Escoms, he requested the KERC to direct Mescom to do energy audit at least in one circle under its jurisdiction. Energy audit will help in implementing a good management information system for the use of Escoms.

The Escoms should take steps to fix meters to un-metered connections in their jurisdictions.

The Executive Committee Member of the Kodagu Planters' Association, Mr A. Subbayya, said that coffee crop is not treated on par with other agriculture crops while fixing electricity tariff. Coffee planters are charged more while fixing the tariff, he added.

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