Industrialists raise tariff-hike issue

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 20

A meeting of Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Kusumjit Sidhu. Industrialists attended the meeting. The Federation of Punjab Small Industries Associations (FOPSIA) raised several questions on power issues.

The industrialists said the fixed charges should not be enhanced. In case of any enhancement, the PSERC should raise the consumption charges as these are subsidised by the government at Rs 5 per unit.

The industrialists further pointed out that cross subsidy on power to subsidies provided to agriculture must be stopped.

The revenue gap (loss) of Rs 12,195 crore till last year proves the inefficiency of the PSPCL, they said.

The industry is forced to pay interest on these losses as the PSPCL takes loans to repay them, they added.

Strict action must be taken against the PSPCL, said FOPSIA president Badish Jindal. Further, the industrialists said the PSERC must take the decision on tariff by March 3 and no retrospective rate should be charged from consumers in case of delay.

The industry representatives also said the power tariff under two-part tariff was high for sick units consuming less power and so there should be maximum overall rate for such units.

Revenue loss

• The revenue gap (loss) of Rs 12,195 crore till last year proves the inefficiency of the PSPCL, they said.
• The industry is forced to pay interest on these losses as the PSPCL takes loans to repay them, they added.