Punjab industry unhappy with new power tariff

Says no relief for the industry despite state being 'power surplus'

Even as consumers were spared from power tariff hike by regulator, Punjab's industry expressed its disappointment, lamenting that energy rates should have been brought down.

"The power tariff for the financial year 2015-16 has failed to excite the industry in any way. We were looking for a decent cut in electricity rates especially when state government had assured reduction in power rates once new power units-- Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo get commissioned," R S Sachdeva, Co-Chairman, Punjab Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said today.

Though there is no increase in the power tariff, he said that at the same time, there was no relief for the industry despite state being "power surplus".

"Since the Punjab industry is facing many hardships, the tariff for industry in Punjab should have been reduced," he said adding that a large number of industrial units had closed down in the recent past.

He also expressed displeasure over the reduction in rebate for time of day tariff from Rs 1.50 per unit to Rs 1 per unit.

"Instead of reducing rebate, it should have been increased to Rs 2 per unit for consuming power during off peak hours," he said.

He also criticised the power utility for surrendering surplus power.

Sachdeva insisted for doing away with Peak Load tariff which was still in existence.

PHD Chamber also sought for reducing electricity duty of 13 per cent imposed on energy by state government. "This is increasing the cost of power to consumers and forcing them to shift to other states for cheaper power," he said.

Chamber sought from state government to bring electricity during from 13per cent to 8 per cent to allow level playing field to industrial sector.

"We would also like to again highlight that 10 paisa per unit being charged as Octroi has no relevance since it is not uniformly applicable to all. Secondly octroi has been abolished by state government on all other items since long," he said.