Sheila hints at rise in power tariff

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission on Wednesday notified a set of new rules that will make overdrawing of electricity from the grid a very expensive offense for states.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on Wednesday notified a set of new rules that will make overdrawing of electricity from the grid a very expensive offense for states.

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From May 3, new Indian Electricity Grid Code as well as the amendments to Unscheduled Interchange (UI) regulations will increase the charges of electricity drawn at low grid frequency between 40 and 100 per cent.

Delhi along with the other North Indian states, which are constituents of the Northern Grid also took a resolution to not overdraw — a token gesture that, experts said, was not likely to be practised.

Delhi has been complaining that overdrawal from states was depriving it from its legitimately purchased electricity, leading causing power cuts.

hike in power tariff ?

For Delhi’s power consumers, however, there was bad news.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said electricity consumption in Delhi had increased over the years and residents would have to shell out more for power.

“People have money... They will have to pay more for power if they use more,” Dikshit was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India at a function in the Capital on Wednesday.

Delhi’s power regulator is about to bring out the new tariff order. Speculation is rife on an increase in tariff for heavy users of electricity.

The regulator on Wednesday called the discoms and sought a clear picture on summer preparedness and the alleged liquidity crunch the companies claimed they faced.