The industry associations had decided to protest against this by symbolically burning copies of the proposal before the Pimpri Chinchwad office of the MSEDCL. (Representational image)Pimpri Chinchwad Small and Medium Scale Industries Association has warned of intense agitation in case the electricity distribution company does not rescind its decision on electricity rates. Sandeep Belsare, president of the association, in a statement said they would lead a march of all SME associations in the state to the Vidhan Bhavan if their demand is not met.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) has proposed a 35 per cent and 41 per cent rise in power tariff for the current and next financial year, respectively. The corporation has submitted the proposal before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).
The industry associations had decided to protest against this by symbolically burning copies of the proposal before the Pimpri Chinchwad office of the MSEDCL. Belsare, in his statement said they are firm on protesting this astronomical rise in rates which would put many industries out of business.
Belsare said, “Instead of trying to plug the lacunae in power distribution which includes thefts, transmission losses etc, the Distribution Company has decided to pass on their losses to the industrial consumers. The corporation on an average reports power loss and theft up to 40 per cent, which can be tackled if the corporation was serious about it.”
He added, “The state government should give Rs 65,000 crore for the next four years in the tranches which would not force the distribution company to increase the power tariff. In case the power tariff is not rescinded, the SMEs, common consumers will protest outside the state assembly.”
This year, Belsare said, the MERC has not done enough publicity or consultation for the proposed power tariff hike. Earlier, Belsare said, advertisements would be published in newspapers and the commission would hold extended hearings before any tariff increase. However, this year, only e-notices and e-filings were done by the regulator.
“This was the first time the regulator has done e-filing and called for e-hearing. Consumers have been denied their right to voice their opinion about a decision which would cut deep into their pockets,” he said.
Belsare said the MSEDCL has tried to pass on their losses to the consumers without trying to correct their technical incapabilities. “We have been demanding proper technical upgradation of the electric corporation but this has fallen on deaf ears,” he said.