Voters halt hike in power charges

Discoms propose continuation of present tariff in election year

PNS | Hyderabad

The South/North Telangana Power Distribution Company (TSSPDCL/TSNPDCL) presented their Annual Revenue Requirement Report (ARR) and tariff proposals for the financial year 2023-24 to TSERC Chairman Tanniru Srirangarao and Member (Technical) Manohar Raju on Wednesday. Sriranga Rao said that two discoms in the state had proposed continuation of the existing electricity charges in 2023-24.

Speaking to media, he pointed out that the proposals would be made available to the public on the ERC website after thorough consideration. The public hearing dates will be announced soon for considering objections to these proposals and gathering public opinion. He said that after hearing the arguments of all the stakeholder groups, the retail tariff order for the year 2023-24 will be issued. That order will come into effect from April 1 next year.

Although the discoms had proposed to continue the current electricity charges in next year too, the ERC can still take decision on price hike, if necessary, after examining the financial position of the discoms.  

He said that appeals to reduce electricity charges under ‘places of worship’ and ‘government schools’ categories are under consideration. There is a possibility of taking a positive decision in this regard.

Sriranga Rao said that, while the discoms had sought permission to collect the cost of power purchases in the form of fuel adjustment charges due to the ever-increasing coal prices, the draft regulations had been announced. These rules allow a maximum of 30 paisa to be charged on a unit of electricity every month. The final rules will be issued after getting approval from the state government. Some directions had been given to the DISCOMs in the tariff orders of last year.

The DISCOMs are taking steps to implement the directions given on fixing meters to the agricultural distribution transformers. AT&C losses are more than 50 per cent in some divisions, for which Discoms had been told that they would be considered in the tariff proposals only if they were reduced to 15 per cent.