State keen on uniform power tariff across Mumbai

The state government on Tuesday reiterated in the legislative council that it wants uniform electricity tariff across the city even if the suppliers are different.

The state government on Tuesday reiterated in the legislative council that it wants uniform electricity tariff across the city even if the suppliers are different.

HT Image

The government has sent a proposal to the electricity regulator, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), asking it to pass an order that will standardise power rates.

HT had, in its December 10 2009 edition, reported about the state’s single-tariff plan.

On Tuesday, state energy minister Ajit Pawar said the government was waiting for the MERC decision.

Four firms distribute power in Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport distributes power in the island city, Reliance Infra in the suburbs and state-owned Mahavitaran in the eastern suburbs. The Tata Power Company has started retail distribution.

The tariff is different for different firms, with people in the island city paying the least and Reliance charging the most. The proposal is unlikely to be implemented soon. Energy department officials said the decision would be taken only after the firms resolved issues of power-sharing and cross-subsidisation.