In order to turn Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) into a profit-making company, the Corporation has asked for the adjustment of a recovery of Rs 640.38 crore in financial year 2013-14 by imposing a regulatory surcharge of 11.37 per cent, which was turned down by Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC). Well established sources revealed that UPCl has projected an overall tariff hike of 67.39 per cent on all consumers, which was already rejected by the commission.
The figures clearly highlighted that the Corporation has proposed Rs 185 per connection per month, which at present is Rs 130 for the hilly areas, whereas Rs 400 per connection per month, which is Rs 285 for other areas in the current financial year under rural category. The proposed electricity rate for the other domestic consumers is Rs 2.98, Rs 3.65 and Rs 4.50 against consumption up to 100 units per month, consumption between 101-200 units per month and consumption above 200 units per month respectively, which is Rs 2.30, Rs 2.60 and Rs 3.10 for the current financial year.
Interestingly, the department has also proposed tariff hike for snow-bound areas, non-domestic, private tube-well, public water works and other consumers who come under different category.
Accordingly, the UPCl has proposed a recovery of Rs 640.38 crore during 2013-14 by imposing a regulatory surcharge of 11.37 per cent to be levied on the total fixed charges and the energy charges for all categories of consumers. This regulatory surcharge of 11.37 per cent for 2013-14 will imply another 17.09 per cent increase in the existing tariff in addition to 50.30 per cent proposed by the UPCl for 2013-14, thereby, implying an overall tariff hike of 67.39 per cent proposed by the UPCl on the existing retail tariff, which is already turned down by the commission.
One of the department sources from the Commission who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that the approval for the new tariff for the next financial year would be done very judiciously after public hearings in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of the State. He claimed that new tariffs, if approved, would be done keeping in mind domestic, commercial, industry and other electricity consumers.