The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) has begun the process to decide on the petitions moved by the power companies demanding a major hike in power tariff in the State.
The power companies on Monday presented their arguments before the State authorities. The CSERC has started working on the task to decide on new rates. It has already invited suggestions of the general public and other organizations before taking a final decision on the hike.
The public hearing in this regard would be held on Wednesday. The Commission has invited leading consumers including Railways and Coal India ltd (CIl) representatives also in the public hearing, official sources here informed.
It will seek their suggestion from them on the proposed tariff hike. Sources said the power companies in the business of production, transmission and distribution have presented their views in front of the Commission.
At present the transmission loss in the State stands at 4%. They have urged to bring it down further although it remains lowest in the country.
Elsewhere in the country, the average transmission loss stands at more than 5%. The move was on to cut down the transmission loss by half.
There was also a suggestion to improve the performance of power production companies. Similarly the power distribution companies have been urged to take more measures to prevent power theft.
The Power Advisory Committee is believed to have asked the Commission not to increase the tariff at any cost. The Commission is likely to decide on the hike after due consultation with all the concerned.
There has been no hike in the tariff for the last two years in the State although the generation cost has gone up. The cost of coal has also increased.
The State Government has provided assistance of about Rs 400 crore to keep the tariff unchanged. But it will be difficult for the Government to provide similar assistance this year.
Sources close to the Commission said there may be 10 per cent hike in the power tariff. Efforts may be made to reduce its impact on agriculture and domestic consumers.