PATIALA: In the face of opposition from opponents within the state meeting over inflated power bills, the state executive is more likely to defer the scheduled hike in tariffs until the Lok Sabha elections. If it happens, it could now not be the first time that the state executive does so in an election yr. During the former SAD-BJP executive, power tariff hike used to be deferred for 2 consecutive years — in 2015 and 2016 — because of the populist coverage being followed by means of the then executive.
The Congress executive, after coming to power in 2017, had to move in for 2 again to again tariff hikes in October 2017 after which in April 2018. This yr, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has already sought a considerable hike in power tariffs to mitigate revenue deficit and the carry forwards from the former years.
PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director Baldev Singh Sran stated regardless that the corporation has been ready to chop losses all through the current fiscal yr by means of promoting surplus power, it is going to nonetheless have to move for a tariff revision to make up for revenue deficit from the former years. In its Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) filed with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), the corporation has sought a hike of around 8% to 14% in various consumer categories. In the final tariff order, the PSERC had allowed a 2.17% hike in power price.
PSPCL sources stated the corporation used to be paying an the pastime of Rs three,868.09 crore at the remarkable debt which eats away all its profits. Therefore, power tariff revision used to be inevitable.
However, sources within the state executive advised IdealNews that the federal government didn't wish to antagonise the citizens all through the Lok Sabha elections and this would result in stalling of tariff revision for now.
A former chairman of PSERC stated as soon as the regulatory commission approves a hike within the power tariffs, the record needs to be despatched to the executive minister for ultimate approval. He stated it's been noticed up to now that the state governments defer tariff revisions, particularly all through the election years, in an try to stay their vote financial institution intact.
The Congress executive, after coming to power in 2017, had to move in for 2 again to again tariff hikes in October 2017 after which in April 2018. This yr, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has already sought a considerable hike in power tariffs to mitigate revenue deficit and the carry forwards from the former years.
PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director Baldev Singh Sran stated regardless that the corporation has been ready to chop losses all through the current fiscal yr by means of promoting surplus power, it is going to nonetheless have to move for a tariff revision to make up for revenue deficit from the former years. In its Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) filed with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), the corporation has sought a hike of around 8% to 14% in various consumer categories. In the final tariff order, the PSERC had allowed a 2.17% hike in power price.
PSPCL sources stated the corporation used to be paying an the pastime of Rs three,868.09 crore at the remarkable debt which eats away all its profits. Therefore, power tariff revision used to be inevitable.
However, sources within the state executive advised IdealNews that the federal government didn't wish to antagonise the citizens all through the Lok Sabha elections and this would result in stalling of tariff revision for now.
A former chairman of PSERC stated as soon as the regulatory commission approves a hike within the power tariffs, the record needs to be despatched to the executive minister for ultimate approval. He stated it's been noticed up to now that the state governments defer tariff revisions, particularly all through the election years, in an try to stay their vote financial institution intact.
Punjab may defer power tariff hike till Lok Sabha polls
![Punjab may defer power tariff hike till Lok Sabha polls]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
February 26, 2019
Rating:
