Power tariff opposed in North K'taka

The proposal from Hescom to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) to hike the power tariff by 70 paise per unit has come as a shocker to consumers of North Karnataka.

All the Escoms in the state have proposed a hike in power tariff and Hescom is among them. At a time when the price of diesel, petrol and other essential goods in the market is rising continuously, the hike in power tariff would be rubbing salt into the wound of the consumer.

The Hescom has cited a deficit of Rs 252 crore during financial year 2011-2012 as the reason for proposing the hike while the internal audit report for the same period has recorded a net income of Rs 39.75 crore to Hescom. This has created confusion in the minds of the consumers regarding the veracity of Hescom's claim of a deficit. Taking an exception to the proposed hike, MP Prahlad Joshi has written to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission asking it not to allow the Hescom to hike the tariff.

Instead, the company should cut down the losses by improving recovery and preventing power theft and misuse. Hescom should concentrate on providing better service that aim at profits, he said.

The Hubli chapter of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries has also decided to submit a memorandum to KERC not to permit the hike in power tariff as sought by Hescom.