CONSUMER BODY PROPOSES ‘COVID RELIEF TARIFF’ FOR ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS IN UP

LUCKNOW: Amid discoms’ bid to get power tariff increased indirectly by levying regulatory surcharge and changing tariff slabs, the UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad submitted its own proposal seeking introduction of ‘Covid relief tariff’ to give relief to consumers during the public hearing held by the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission here on Wednesday.

This was the last hearing on government-owned discoms’ annual revenue requirement (ARR) proposal.

The commission is expected to announce the new tariff order for the current financial year next month. The commission took a serious view of discoms’ proposal seeking levy of regulatory surcharge and termed the bid as ‘fraud’ with consumers.

Upbhokta parisahd chairman Avadhesh Kumar Verma submitted a proposal demanding the commission to either reduce the existing power tariff by 25% in lieu of Rs 19537 crore that discoms had overcharged since 2000, or accept its proposal for introduction of the ‘Covid relief tariff schedule.

“We have proposed abolition of monthly fixed charges for all consumers and abolition of minimum charges for commercial consumers apart from proposing per unit charges under various slabs in such a way as it will give big relief to consumers without adversely impacting discoms’ revenue collection,” Verma said.

Winding up the hearing, UPERC chairman RP Singh said, “The commission has heard all the sides and stakeholders and will now issue a tariff order considering suggestions and objections received during public hearings.”