Why UPPCL cagey about details of line-losses
LUCKNOW: The UPPCL’s reluctance to give the electricity regulator information about the circle-wise line losses has given rise to the suspicion that the corporation fears an adverse tariff order especially with regard to a dozen VIP districts if the UPERC gains access to the detailed data that it has asked for.
The Uttar Pradesh Power Cor poration Ltd (UPPCL) management has curtly told the UP Electricity Regulator Commission (UPERC) that it was not called for on the latter’s part to insist on circle-wise details on the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses.
“Giving circle-wise information on AT&C losses is not a part of the annual revenue requirement-cum tariff revision proposal,” the UPPCL recently informed the UPERC, advising it to take into consideration the total statewide AT& C losses only.
In its ARR proposal to the regulator, seeking power tariff hike for the year 2015-16, the UPPCL has indicated its total AT&C losses at around 40%. This means more than 40% of the total electricity that it sells to the consumers remains unaccounted for. The corporation recovers bills only for 60% of power, the rest being stolen or not paid for.
The UPERC, is however, not satisfied with the data. It insists on being given circle-wise break up of the AT&C losses before it revises the power tariff considering the expected revenue requirement and the deficit projected by the UPPCL in its ARR/Tariff revision proposal for 2015-16.
The UPPCL’s reluctance to share circle-wise AT&C losses is being attributed to its fear of the possibility of the regulator passing an adverse tariff order with regard to around a dozen VIP districts that have access to round-the-clock power supply by virtue of their political importance.
According to sources, the highest AT&C losses were bound to be in the circles that comprise VIP districts that are exempted from power cuts. The more the power supply given to a district or city, the more of it is likely to be stolen and remain unpaid for under an inefficient system.
“But if that comes on record, the regulator might link the tariff with the losses in its next tariff order in April. In order words, the higher the losses in city/districts more the tariff. It may also ask the UPPCL to make equitable distribution of power to all consumers,” said an official.
In both the cases, it might hit the political interests of the leaders whose cities and districts get round the clock supply. Among the main cities/districts that enjoy round the clock power supply for political reasons are Etawah, Mainpuri, Azamgarh, Kannauj, Rampur and Rae Bareli.
The sources claimed that the UPPCL had even the subdivision-wise details of AT&C losses and they were very much reviewed and discussed during monthly departmental meetings. “But the corporation is not ready to give the same in black and white to the regulator,” said sources.