The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) in a public hearing here on Wednesday deferred its decision on the power tariff review petitions filed by the distribution companies (discoms) Gridco, OHPC, OPGC and OPTCl. later speaking to reporters, OERC Secretary Kamal lochan Panda said after listening to the viewpoints of the power companies, consumer unions and other stakeholders, the OERC decided to consider whether the review petitions are admissible or not. The commission would take a final decision after a detailed analysis. However, Electricity Consumers’ Union president Ramesh Satpathy said if the OERC hikes power tariff, the union would move the Orissa High Court against it.It might be mentioned that he OERC on April 1, 2017 had allowed a tariff hike of 10 paise per unit. But the discoms are not satisfied with this hike and have filed petitions for further hike of power tariff.Meanwhile, the State unit of Samajwadi Party led by its president Rabi Behera held a demonstration before the OERC office during the hearing opposing the review petition filed by the discom companies for hike in power tarrif.The party activists submitted a memorandum addressed to the OERC Chairman demanding publication of a white paper on power sector reforms from 1994-95. It also demanded scrapping of private franchise for billing and collection of power tariff. Besides that they have demanded to stop power cut and to ensure uninterrupted quality power supply to the consumers for 24 hours.The party demanded the OERC Chairman direct the discoms to collect the pending bills of Rs 6,354.55 crore from various corporate, Government offices and common consumers. The party appealed to the OERC to ensure the objectives of power sector reforms of reducing power theft and transmission loss.