PANJIM: The hike in power tariffs by 3.5 per cent has come in for sharp criticism, with the Opposition parties demanding immediate roll-back of the revised tariffs.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved an average tariff hike of 3.5 per cent to further reduce the reliance of Electricity Department on budgetary support from the government.
The JERC order has come into force with effect from June 16, 2024.
The Electricity Department had proposed a tariff hike of 3.48 per cent in its tariff schedule of financial year 2024-25.
As per the revised tariff, the energy charges for domestic and non-commercial consumers consuming 0 to100 units has been increased form Rs 1.75 to Rs 1.90.
For 101 to 200 units, it is hiked from Rs 2.60 to Rs 2.80; for 201 to 200 units, the tariff is revised from Rs 3.30 to Rs 3.70; 301 to 400 units from Rs 4.40 to Rs 4.90; and above 400 units it is increased from Rs 5.10 to Rs 5.80.
Similarly, the tariff for commercial consumers has also been increased.
The Electricity Department had submitted that in the State, the LT consumers were heavily subsidised. The Average Cost of Supply (ACoS) for the Electricity Department to consumers for financial year 2022-23 was Rs 5.68 per unit. However, the average billing rate for domestic consumers was just Rs 2.87 per unit, which meant that for every unit supplied to domestic customers, the department was losing Rs 2.81.
The department was determined in bringing the average billing rate within the ±20 per cent limit by gradually increasing the tariff rates against the average cost of supply. Hence, to bring balance between subsidised and subsidising consumer, the department proposed hike of 3.48 per cent in the tariff rate for the LT consumers to the JERC.
Reacting to the revision of power tariffs, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “The Congress party was one of the first to file objections and even as per the government reply it was said that they will not hike the tariffs. In the last Assembly session, I had pointed out that there were pending dues of thousand crores of rupees as the power guzzlers are not paying on the pretext of matter is pending in the court. But as there is no stay order, nothing stops the government from collecting the arrears but this government is protecting all these lobbies. There seems to be crony capitalist connection between power guzzlers and the government. I demand that the government reviews the decision and first do the recoveries, which are to be done.”
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar said, “On January 8 this year, when JERC had come to Goa, I had pointed out that the Goa government is yet to recover arrears of over Rs 1,000 crore. I also stated that there are many bungalows used for commercial purposes but they are charged as domestic consumers. Instead of burdening the common man, why don’t they recover dues from them? The government has taken the people of Goa for granted.”
Former president of Goa Small Industries Association (GSIA) and industrialist Damodar Kochkar said, “The marginal hike in tariffs will not affect industry much but our main concern is the quality of power. There is no spare transformer in Verna.”
Verna Industries Association (VIA) president Pradeep Da Costa said, “The power situation in the industrial estate is not good. Day after tomorrow (Wednesday) we are meeting the Power Minister. He will give a plan of action on how to mitigate power problems, what is the current status and what are the plans? The Minister has admitted that there are issues.”
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said, “The voice of the consumers was heard and documented at the public hearings held at Panjim and Margao. Now it is important for the Electricity Department to provide quality power and good service to match the tariff hike and act on the points raised in the JERC order.”
GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai posted on ‘X’, “Why is @BJP4Goa Govt pushing for a #tariff hike when Rs 3,990 crore are already allocated for the #electricity dept? Even with the MOS for Power from the same opposing it, will the Govt get a jolt of reality?”
