Chennai: In Tamil Nadu, despite protests from various parties such as the public and small businesses, the increase in electricity tariff has caused shock among the people. A doubt has arisen whether the consultation meeting held by the Electricity Regulatory Commission will be overlooked.
The Tamil Nadu government planned to increase the electricity tariff to generate revenue as the electricity board was running at a loss. For this, the Electricity Board decided to increase the charges for electricity usage and provision of new electricity connection. On July 18, the petitions were submitted to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking approval for the tariff hike. The Regulatory Authority has announced that a hearing will be held in this regard. Consultation meetings were held in Coimbatore on August 16, Madurai on August 18, and Chennai on August 22.
Those who participated in it protested strongly against the increase in electricity charges. Political parties also condemned the decision to increase the electricity tariff.
Apart from this, the opinion of the people was also sought through the website on behalf of the Power Board. As of August 24, 4,500 people had commented. Answers were given to them on behalf of the Power Board and the details were also submitted to the Commission.
On May 17, when Thirumurugan Gandhi, the coordinator of operations, spoke at the hearing meeting held at the Kalaiwanar Arena in Chennai, he said, “Who is responsible for the loss of the power board?” Why are you holding the poll in only 3 cities? Why is it not conducted in the whole of Tamil Nadu?” he asked. It went viral on social media.
Similarly, representatives of various organizations and associations like residents associations, small, micro and medium enterprises associations, handloom weavers also participated and spoke. Almost everyone opposed the decision to hike electricity rates. Poor people and small businesses will be affected, they said.
However, the regulatory authority has given approval to the tariff hike recommended by the power board. Due to this, doubts have arisen among the people that the hearing meetings held by the regulatory authority are just a show-off.
In this regard, C. Selvaraj, General Secretary of Indian Anti-Corruption Federation, who participated in the consultation meeting, said:
It has been proved that the consultation meeting held by the Electricity Regulatory Commission was just an eye-opener by implementing the tariff hike recommended by the Electricity Board.
The power board does not have money to purchase items such as transformers and poles. Not only that, these items are purchased by paying a lot of money. For example, a transformer was purchased by the power board at a cost of Rs 3 lakh last year. It purchases the same transformer this year for Rs.4.75 lakhs. Thus each item is procured at a higher price.
Banks are refusing to give loans again because of non-repayment of loans already taken from banks. Therefore, the electricity board has increased the electricity tariff to a large extent to meet the cash requirement. When there are many ways to increase revenue, compensating through rate hikes is not acceptable. Due to this, poor, poor and middle class people will be severely affected.
Therefore, a case should be filed in the National Appellate Tribunal against the hike in electricity charges. If there is no favorable verdict, then the Supreme Court should be approached. This is what he said.