‘Powers that be paid no heed to appeals from trade bodies’

CHENNAI:  Even as MSME representatives say the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (TNERC) approval to hike the power tariff will affect lakhs of tiny industries, TNERC chairman M Chandrasekar has said the new tariff would not be slashed.

“A small business that was paying an EB bill amount of Rs 1,750 will now have to pay Rs 3,750 per billing cycle under the new tariff for up to use of 50 kilowatts (KW). Suppose the sanctioned load is 112 KW, the firm will have to pay Rs 16,800 instead of the earlier bill amount of Rs 3,920. In spite of explaining this issue to the commission during public hearings held in Coimbatore, Madurai, and Chennai, the authorities have gone ahead with the hike decision,” MSME owners said. 

Ponmalar Duraisamy, the proprietor of Vel Hi-Tech Industries in Thirumazisai, told TNIE that as per section 64 (2) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Act 2003, the TNEB has to respond to the suggestions and objections raised during public hearings. “The TNERC had also told us that responses to the objections raised during the August 22 meeting will be provided before August 30. However, we have received no reply until now. They have also passed the order without taking into account the public’s disapproval,” she added.

Ponmalar also pointed out that as per the new tariff, tiny industries under LT (low tension) tariff have to pay Rs 7.50 per unit as against the earlier rate of Rs 6.30, and a fixed charge of Rs 150 for 112 KW as against the earlier charge of Rs 35. The TANGEDCO has also introduced a peak hour charge scheme (from 6 to 9 during both mornings and evenings).

MSMEs have just been limping back to normalcy following the pandemic-induced lockdowns, said S Gokulakrishnan of Renuga Heat Treaters in Chennai. “Already, many industries had shut down following the pandemic. Now, more are expected to follow suit with the government allowing this tariff hike. It must be noted that MSME is the only sector that offers employment to school dropouts in the State,” he added.

Meanwhile, TNERC chairman M Chandrasekar has said the tariff revision will not be revoked, and that TANGEDCO had replied to all suggestions raised by stakeholders during the public hearings. “A copy of the responses was submitted to the TNERC as well. Those who are yet to receive the responses can approach the commission for it,” he added.

Powerloom units decide not to pay bills
Tiruppur: Opposing the revision of tariff, power loom units have announced that they would not pay electricity bills in the next cycle. The decision was taken after a meeting of powerloom unit owners in Somanur in Coimbatore district on Sunday. President of Coimbatore-Tiruppur Districts powerloom unit owners C Palanisamy told TNIE, “We had met senior officials of TANGEDCO and requested them not to implement it, but they did not pay heed. As the entire sector works on the job work model, we seek immediate roll back of tariff revision. We will protest by not paying the bills.” ENS

AIADMK, CPI seek immediate recall
Chennai: The AIADMK and CPI have condemned the State government for hiking the power tariff, and sought a reversal of the decision. AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam said the DMK had promised during poll rallies that it would take steps to undertake monthly reading of electricity consumption and this would save EB consumers `6,000 annually. “Now, the consumer has to shell out `10,000 annually due to the government’s decision to hike tariff,” he said. The DMK’s alliance partner CPI also raised concerns over the decision. The party’s State secretary R Mutharasan said the new rates were unaffordable for public. ENS

CHENNAI:  Even as MSME representatives say the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (TNERC) approval to hike the power tariff will affect lakhs of tiny industries, TNERC chairman M Chandrasekar has said the new tariff would not be slashed. “A small business that was paying an EB bill amount of Rs 1,750 will now have to pay Rs 3,750 per billing cycle under the new tariff for up to use of 50 kilowatts (KW). Suppose the sanctioned load is 112 KW, the firm will have to pay Rs 16,800 instead of the earlier bill amount of Rs 3,920. In spite of explaining this issue to the commission during public hearings held in Coimbatore, Madurai, and Chennai, the authorities have gone ahead with the hike decision,” MSME owners said.  Ponmalar Duraisamy, the proprietor of Vel Hi-Tech Industries in Thirumazisai, told TNIE that as per section 64 (2) of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Act 2003, the TNEB has to respond to the suggestions and objections raised during public hearings. “The TNERC had also told us that responses to the objections raised during the August 22 meeting will be provided before August 30. However, we have received no reply until now. They have also passed the order without taking into account the public’s disapproval,” she added. Ponmalar also pointed out that as per the new tariff, tiny industries under LT (low tension) tariff have to pay Rs 7.50 per unit as against the earlier rate of Rs 6.30, and a fixed charge of Rs 150 for 112 KW as against the earlier charge of Rs 35. The TANGEDCO has also introduced a peak hour charge scheme (from 6 to 9 during both mornings and evenings). MSMEs have just been limping back to normalcy following the pandemic-induced lockdowns, said S Gokulakrishnan of Renuga Heat Treaters in Chennai. “Already, many industries had shut down following the pandemic. Now, more are expected to follow suit with the government allowing this tariff hike. It must be noted that MSME is the only sector that offers employment to school dropouts in the State,” he added. Meanwhile, TNERC chairman M Chandrasekar has said the tariff revision will not be revoked, and that TANGEDCO had replied to all suggestions raised by stakeholders during the public hearings. “A copy of the responses was submitted to the TNERC as well. Those who are yet to receive the responses can approach the commission for it,” he added. Powerloom units decide not to pay bills Tiruppur: Opposing the revision of tariff, power loom units have announced that they would not pay electricity bills in the next cycle. The decision was taken after a meeting of powerloom unit owners in Somanur in Coimbatore district on Sunday. President of Coimbatore-Tiruppur Districts powerloom unit owners C Palanisamy told TNIE, “We had met senior officials of TANGEDCO and requested them not to implement it, but they did not pay heed. As the entire sector works on the job work model, we seek immediate roll back of tariff revision. We will protest by not paying the bills.” ENS AIADMK, CPI seek immediate recall Chennai: The AIADMK and CPI have condemned the State government for hiking the power tariff, and sought a reversal of the decision. AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam said the DMK had promised during poll rallies that it would take steps to undertake monthly reading of electricity consumption and this would save EB consumers `6,000 annually. “Now, the consumer has to shell out `10,000 annually due to the government’s decision to hike tariff,” he said. The DMK’s alliance partner CPI also raised concerns over the decision. The party’s State secretary R Mutharasan said the new rates were unaffordable for public. ENS