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Power tariff in state unjust, will affect citizens: Consumers panel
On Sunday evening, the ECIOCC office bearers held a two-hour meeting at MMCC college hall, which was attended by several concerned citizens and activists
Pune: The Maharashtra State Electricity Consumers and Industrial Organization Coordination Committee (ECIOCC) has urged all concerned power consumers to file their suggestions and objections to the recent power tariff hike announced by the MSEDCL authorities.
The committee under the aegis of ECIOCC has threatened to protest the decision. It went on to say that Maharashtra residents were taken aback by the steep increase in power prices on January 26.
On Sunday evening, the ECIOCC office bearers held a two-hour meeting at MMCC college hall, which was attended by several concerned citizens and activists.
“The MSEDCL authorities have proposed a 37% tariff hike, amounting to an average increase of ₹2.55 per unit, which is an oppressive measure aimed at bridging its deficit of ₹67,644 crores,” the committee members said in a statement.
“This announcement must be cancelled right away. The various electricity consumer organisations, industrial associations, and farmer organisations will submit written objections to the MSEDCL by February 15. “A massive social media campaign will be carried out until February 25 to raise awareness among the general public,” it stated.
“We have appealed to all consumer rights organisations, citizens, and rights bodies to raise the issue of the power tariff hike with their respective legislators and parliamentarians,” said ECIOCC Co-ordinator and veteran electricity expert Pratap Hogade.
Citizens must inform their elected representatives that the tariff increase must be repealed immediately because it is detrimental to the common man’s interests. The current power tariff in Maharashtra for domestic and industrial usage per unit is the highest in the country. The state government must take an immediate decision to roll back the proposal as it will affect all sections of the society including the farmers and industrial sector,” Hogade added.
Prominent electricity expert Shantanu Dixit said, “For the past 22 years there has been a constant increase in inflation and so also the power price for both the domestic and industrial consumers has increased consistently. However, the efficiency and professionalism of the MSEDCL has not improved per the changing times.”
Calling the hike unjust, backbreaking, and burdensome for the common man, Vivek Velankar, president of the Sajag Nagrik Manch, urged citizens to file suggestions and objections with the MSEDCL authorities.
Reacting to the development, MSEDCL authorities stated “ The reports about the proposed power tariff hike for the next two years at an average of ₹2.55 per unit amounting to 37% increase are false and misleading. To close the revenue gap, the MSEDCL has proposed average hikes of 14 percent and 11 percent for 2023 and 2024 respectively.”
