Pune to face power cut this summer

Punekars will face power cuts during this summer as Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has rejected the state power distribution company Mahavitaran's proposal to levy additional reliability charges to buy costly power and ensure Pune remains load-shedding free.

In July 2006, MERC accepted the proposal mooted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and allowed Mahavitaran to buy power generated from captive capacity of the local industry to ensure Pune becomes load-shedding free.

Under the scheme passed by the power regulator, Mahavitaran was allowed to collect the reliability charges from the consumers who use more than 300 units.

However, since July 2006, when MERC passed the order, demand for power had increased in Pune and even after using the captive capacity of the local industry, Mahavitaran had to buy costly power from various other sources to ensure Pune remains load-shedding free.

However, in December last year, Mahavitaran moved the application asking permission for levying of additional reliability charges. And by today's order the commission has rejected Mahavitaran's proposal.

Coming down heavily on the power utility, the regulator has observed that Mahavitaran by purchasing power from captive power of local industry and other sources and supplying it to Pune to ensure zero load shedding, Mahavitaran has transgressed beyond the scope of the commission's order

The regulator even went on to suggest Mahavitaran to appoint franchisee for Pune, which could result in better service to consumers.