Seen in pure revenue terms, the year 2013 was good one for the power discoms. According to reports, operational losses were reduced by 52%, thanks to financial restructuring.
But from the viewpoint of the consumer, there are few causes for celebration. First of all, there were around half a dozen tariff hikes in this year alone.
In October, when the domestic tariffs were ratcheted up by 34 paise a unit, there were many voices of protest. Especially from the industrial community, which has been pressed the hardest by rising power costs. Industrial power costs as much as Rs 7 per unit, and this is without taking into account added tariff components like fixed charges and fuel surcharge.
Many are now anticipating another hike as a New Year gift. The discoms, including the DHBVN, are aiming to further slash their annual losses by around 21%. And putting the burden on the consumer, especially on the industrial users - who account for around 42% of the total power consumed in the region - has been common practice."The power authorities have implemented unreasonable hikes all these months, and the same is likely to happen next year.
Industrialists are paying fixed charges and a fuel surcharge on an already high tariff. Buying electricity off the grid here is becoming as costly as diesel-based backup," said S K Sharma, a local entrepreneur.
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