The Samajwadi Party on Monday demanded that the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) and the State Government ensure that power tariff is never be increased for the year 2019-20.
“Every year, power tariff is being hiked to make up the financial loss of the distribution companies. For the financial year 2019-20, the Gridco has submitted its Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of 9,134. 21 crore. This means the power tariff per unit will be pegged at Rs 3.26. If the OERC accepts the Gridco APR, 77 lakh consumers in the State will suffer,” said SP State president Rabi Behera.
He lamented saying that general consumers are being burdened unnecessarily to make up transmission loss, which ought to be met by discoms.
“In Odisha, the transmission loss is around 40 per cent. If one percent transmission loss is checked, the State can save an annual revenue of around 75 crore. Now, due to 40 per cent transmission loss, the State is losing revenue of around Rs 3,000 crore. This needs to be reduced and the OERC must direct the power companies to check power theft and ATC loss instead of going for power tariff hike. The State Government should interfere in the matter for the welfare of the common people of the State, he said.
Behera threatened that his party would create a people’s movement if the OERC and the Government do not ensure stopping of possible power tariff hike soon.