Maha ready to implement uniform power tariff in Mumbai

Maharashtra is ready to implement uniform electricity tariff in Mumbai and its suburbs for select consumers, but private utility Reliance Energy is not agreeable to the idea, a minister said today.
The government is ready for uniform tariff for consumers utilising up to 100 units in Mumbai and its suburbs, served by different firms (both private & public who have their own rates), said Minister for Energy Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
While civic-run utility BEST, Tata Power Co and Mahadiscom (a government entity) are ready for uniform tariff, Reliance Energy is not ready, he said.
"The Reliance's argument has been that it will incur a loss of Rs 150 crore (under uniform structure). However, the government, if needed, will instruct Reliance Energy to make its tariff rates uniform," he said.

Bawankule said uniform power tariff rates will be implemented in the next two to three months.
"The Government is keeping a close watch on power outages being faced by people in some parts of western and eastern suburbs due to tripping of a 220Kv power transmission tower of Tata Power at Airoli (Navi Mumbai)," he said.

Bawankule said rotational load-shedding is being done in the affected regions and was hopeful of the supply being restored at the earliest.
Several localities in eastern and western suburbs of Mumbai like Saki Naka, Borivali, Versova and Mira Bhayandar have been facing power outages since last evening when the TPC transmission tower collapsed.

The minister said TPC is constructing a 1,600 MW power plant at Dherand in Raigad district which will substantially augment Mumbai's growing power requirements.
Bawankule said in the last decade or so (when Congress NCP alliance was in power) no efforts were made to augment the power supply to the metropolis.
By 2019, Mumbai would be facing a power shortage of 3,000 MW, Bawankule said, adding the BJP-led Government has ensured addition of 1,300 MW for the financial capital.
Replying to queries over demands for reduction of rates for low-end consumers in Mumbai, he said the Government has already held four meetings with the distribution companies - TPC, BEST, Reliance and Mahadiscom - over the issue.

"The Government has already agreed for reduction in power tariff rates for consumers consuming less than 100 units," he said.