NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, DEC 16
Even as the state-run power distribution companies — Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL), Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) and Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL) — have proposed no increase in tariffs for 2020-21, the private discom Torrent Power Limited (TPL) has proposed to increase power tariff by 21 paise per unit for the fiscal 2020-21. The private sector power distribution company has sought to hike tariffs from April 1, 2020 to make up for the past under-recoveries which will hit Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat consumers.
The private company has filed its petitions with Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) for determination of power tariffs for the fiscal 2020-21.
Commenting on this, Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) director K K Bajaj said, “TPL has sought to raise energy charges by 15 paise and fixed/demand charges by 6 paise per unit.” The company has proposed no change in energy charges levied from below poverty line (BPL) consumers for the first 30 units. “For other residential consumers, the company has proposed to increase energy charges by 10 paise for the first 50 units and remaining at15 paise per unit,” he added.
According to the tariff petitions, the company has also proposed to levy regulatory charge of 35 paise per unit for two years from consumers in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
“The petitioner has proposed regulatory charge at the rate of Rs 0.35 per unit w.e.f. 1st April, 2020 over a period of two years with necessary adjustment of cost due to deferment of recovery,” TPL said in its tariff petition for Ahmedabad licence area.
The state power regulator will take the final call on tariff revisions after hearing all the stakeholders.
In September, State energy watchdog had increased the Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPPA) charges for electricity consumers of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd by 20 paise from Rs1.90 to Rs2.10 while that of Torrent Power Ltd (TPL) has remained unchanged at Rs2.11 per unit for July-September quarter of 2019-20. This increase of 20 paise per unit will put a burden of Rs.177 crores per month on 1.4 crore consumers of Gujarat.
