Power tariff hike in UP challenged in HC

The Allahabad High Court today directed the state government and others to file their replies by July 8 on a PIL seeking a direction against enhancing 17 per cent tariff from July 1 till realisation of all electricity dues from defaulters, including government offices.
A division bench here of the HC comprising justice Arun Tandon and justice Anil Kumar passed the order on a PIL filed by a local lawyer Farookh Ahmad.
Besides the state government, U.P. Power Corporation Limited and UP Electricity Regulatory Commission have also been asked to give their replies.
The petitioner submitted that the decision of UPERC to hike power tariff was not in the interest of honest consumers and public at large and hence, the recovery should be made from the defaulters before enhancing tariff.

The petitioner also sought a direction for quashing the decision to hike in power tariff and concerned orders of the state government and UPPCL.
The Court directed the respondents to file their replies positively by July 8 and to list this matter on July 8 before the appropriate bench.
On June 18, UPSER Commission effected tariff hike for all categories of power consumers.