Traders concerned over power tariff hike, seek uniform rates

Voicing concern over the annual hike in power tariff, entrepreneurs have cautioned the government not to go ahead with increase in rates of electricity every year. They are of the view that the hike has almost become a tradition.

Kamal Dalmia, patron-in-chief of the Focal Point Industrial Welfare Association, said the PSPCL hikes power tariff between seven to 10 per cent annually. He felt that a hike of 10 per cent every year would increase the cost of inputs in manufacturing of goods as the industry was passing through a tough face while competing with industries in neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana where they were getting power at a much cheaper rate. He suggested that in order to enhance the productive capacity of the PSPCL, the government must introduce more power supply companies.

Citing the instance of Delhi and Maharashtra, he said competition among the power supply firms improved the capability of power utilities in these two states.

Sundeep Khosla, president of Focal Point Industrial Welfare Association, Bal Kalan Industrial Area, said when the government was claiming that the PSPCL was now a profit generating utility by reducing power thefts and getting coal at a low price from its coal mines for thermal power plants, then where was the need to hike the power tariff?

Piara Lal Seth, president, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, demanded uniform power tariff rates across the country to offer equal opportunities to traders. Through several communiqués, he urged the Union government to act on their demand. Once implemented, the move would accelerate the economic development of the state and improve the living standard of people, he added.