Orissa Consumers Air Views On Power Tariff Hike

For the first time, consumers of electricity in Orissa have got an opportunity to air their views on the increase in tariff rates.

The Orissa electricity regulatory commission has begun hearing Grid Corporation of Orissa Limited's (Gridco) application in support of the hike in electricity tariff with effect since Friday.

Official sources said on the first two days, 41 consumers including industrial houses, businessmen and domestic consumers had appeared before the commission to air their views on the tariff increase, the decision on which had earlier depended totally on the state electricity board. Gridco had applied to the regulatory commission to revise tariff by a weighed average of 17 per cent from April 1.

Orissa, which became the first state to reform its power sector, abolished the existing state electricity board last year, replacing it with Gridco and Orissa Hydel Power Corporation.

Commission members A R Mohanty and D K Ray heard the arguments of the consumers after rejecting some preliminary objections raised against the commission and the legality of Gridco's proposal for tariff hike.