Punjab- Power Tariff:No Power Tariff Relief To Industry Consumers:PHD Chamber

By 121 News

Chandigarh 05^th May:- Sharing dissatisfaction with the new tariff orders for the year 2015-16, R S Sachdeva, Co-Chairman, Punjab Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the power tariff for the financial year 2015-16 announced by Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has failed to excite the industry in any way Though there is no increase in the power tariff, Sachdeva lamented that industry looked forward to a decent cut in rates especially when State Government itself had assured rate cut once the Rajpura and Talwandi Saboo plants start generating power.

Punjab, he said is a power surplus State but still there is no sign of relief for industry. Since the Punjab industry has to face many hardships, the tariff to Industry in Punjab should have been very competitive.  50 % industry has already closed down. He said that PSERC has not considered any of the recommendations and views of PHD Chamber while finanlising the tariff order for 2015-16. Last year, the government had provided Night Tariff rebate of Rs.1.50 for six months which has been further cut to Re 1for six months this year. With the State being power surplus, PHD Chamber demands a rebate of Rs. 2 extended to all 12 months round the year. The Commission has not even extended any Night Tariff Rebate for the month of April & May as assured by the government. Because of the surplus power available, PSPCL has been surrendering power. PHD Chamberinsists to do away with Peak Load tariff which is still continuing.

High Tension Consumers (HTCs) 66 KVAh and above, Tariff should be genuine on the basis of voltage wise category wise cost of supply. The Electricity Duty @ 13% is among the highest rate in the country. This is increasing the delivered cost of power to consumer. The high rate of power has resulted in closing down and shifting of industry. This is reducing the state's revenue from VAT, closing down of units and also spreading of unemployment.  Reducing the Electricity Duty at an affordable level comparable with states in the region will reduce the production cost and make the product competitive with neighboring states.

R S Sachdeva added that we would also like to again highlight that 10 paisa per unit being charged as Octroi has no relevance since it is not uniformly applicable to all.  Secondly Octroi tax has been abolished by State Government on all other items since long.  Wheeling charges, which are very high in the State need to be cut down so that consumers can avail open access to power.