The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) commenced its public hearing on electricity tariff revision for 20171-18 on Monday.
On the first day, officials of two power producing companies, the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) and the Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), argued before the commission foe hike in their tariffs.
The OHPC argued that its present electricity generation cost is `1.82 per unit. However, it is supplying electricity at 83 paisa per unit. The OPGC also batted for a tariff hike to `2.2 from existing tariff of Rs 1.9.
The Gridco would place its arguments on February 8. The company has been purchasing electricity at a higher rate from the central pool than it supply. The hearing process would continue till February 18.
A meeting of the concerned State Advisory Committee would be held on February 20 to take a final call on the power distribution companies’ tariff proposals.
last year, the OERC had rejected the demands of the companies to increase the power tariff as the Consumers’ Federation had strongly opposed the hike proposal at the public hearing.
Odisha Electricity Consumers’ Association president Ramesh Tripathy said the tariff is likely to be increased due to flawed policies of the Government this year.
“However, we will oppose any hike in power tariff,” said he.
Citing letters written by two electricity generating companies to the OERC, Tripathy said any price hike had been postponed last year on the face of immense pressure exerted by consumers.