 "Power tariff breather for industry in Chhattisgarh")
The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) Friday evening released the tariff plan for different power companies for the financial year 2013-14. The order would be effective till March 31, 2014 or the next order of the state government.
“Since after the regularization and adjustment of annual revenue, it is seen that the power company does not require additional fund and hence there is no hike in the existing power tariff in the state,” P N Singh, commission secretary, said. The commission had recommended steep hike in the power tariff last year.
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Last year, the hike was between 16% and 46%. While the domestic consumers had to pay more, the power price went up for all classes of industry. The opposition Congress had made it an issue stating that the power surplus status of the state government was at stake following hike.
The state goes to the polls in November this year. The state government had decided not to hike the power tariff this year and arm the opposition with an issue just before the elections.
The development had brought smile for the industry though the state government had not slashed the tariff. “The further hike in the tariff would have forced 50% (small and medium) industries in Chhattisgarh to close down the unit,” Chhattisgarh Sponge Iron Manufacturing Association President Anil Nachrani said.
The industries are passing through crises following raw material shortage and market trends. If the government had hiked the tariff, most of the industrialists would have thronged the power company office tomorrow with an application to disconnect the power supply to the unit, Nachrani added.