Team Herald
PANJIM: Reacting to news reports of a 5 percent hike in power tariff, Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar on Friday said the hike was unavoidable.
Speaking to Herald, Madkaikar said, “I have been trying my best not to hike the tariff, so that consumers are not burdened but the forthcoming hike is unavoidable. This is a mere 5 percent hike which will only amount in paise and not hit the consumers.”
He added, “The department was in a deficit for Rs 163 crore last year, and JERC was questioning us on why this deficit was not being leveled. This year, without putting much of a burden on consumers, we have slightly increased the tariff out of which we will gain Rs 80-90 crore while the rest will be sorted through the government’s budgetary support of Rs 394 crore,” Madkaikar said.
JERC will hold a public hearing on January 31 on the proposed move to hike the power tariff. Also, in a public notice issued on Thursday, Electricity Department has urged citizens to file objections and suggestions by January 20.
