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Our Bureau

Kochi June 8 The Kerala High Tension and Extra High Tension Industrial Electricity Consumers Association has protested against the move of the State Electricity Board to increase the power tariff for industrial units in the State.

The Association President, Mr George Thomas, said that the Board had recently submitted to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission a tariff proposal for approval to hike the tariff.

CLOSURE FEARED

These proposals, if implemented, would result in closing down of many of the industrial units in the State, he said.

As per the revised rates, 110 kv consumers have to pay Rs 5.17 per unit, 66 kv consumers Rs 5.20 per unit and 11 kv subscribers Rs 5.34 per unit. However, the rates in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa are Rs 2.12 per unit and Rs 3.40 per unit respectively.

Apart from the hike, the Board has proposed to increase the minimum demand charges payable by industries from 75 per cent to 90 per cent of the contract demand.

`UNVIABLE DEMAND'

The attaining of 90 per cent of the contract demand every month will not be possible for many of the industries by virtue of their process, product and number of working shifts.

Fixing the minimum payable demand charge at 90 per cent of the contract demand would only result in another increase in electricity charges because of the additional payment for power not consumed by them, he said.

The Government should desist from implementing the new proposal in the larger interest of the State considering its industrial and economic growth and the employment potential, he added.

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