Power tariff hike not to spare government

What should a power regulatory commission chairman do when a government officer opposes his own government's agency on its moves to hike the power tariff?

Everyone present at the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission's (KERC) hearing in Mysore on August 12 thought the Karnataka Government's minor irrigation department chief engineer would defend the Escom's proposal to increase the power tariff in Karnataka, when he stood up to speak.

But to their pleasant surprise, he joined most of those present in opposing the move, saying that the 214 lift irrigation schemes had been badly hit on two counts "" poor voltage and burden of uniform minimum charges for the whole year, though power was availed only from February to July season for pumping water for irrigation.

The engineer went a step further and demanded that the tariff be limited to the February-July season only when power is used.

The KERC chairman burst out in laughter and said, "You are from a government department. It (Mescom) is a government company, your company. Sort it out between yourselves."

After a pause the engineer added, "We know there is only one government. I don't think there are different governments. Why don't you run your company properly. If you cannot do it, better close it down."

When the engineer remarked he had the government's permission to file the objection before the KERC, former MLA A Ramadas interjected, bringing down the house with laughter, "Sir, even the government knows that the tariff is high."