Public hearing on power tariff hike on Jan 31

Panaji: The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission will hold a public hearing on January 31 on the proposed move of the state electricity department to hike power tariff by 5% in the 2018-19 fiscal to mop up revenue gaps of approximately Rs 80 crore. In a public note issued on Thursday, it has urged citizens to file objections and suggestions by January 29. The electricity department, in a separate notice issued on Wednesday, provided a chart of the proposed tariff hike. The department is facing a revenue gap of Rs 473 crore while the budget allocation is Rs 394 crore. tnn