Users body wants Torrent Power to return Rs 9.72 cr

The Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS) has submitted a petition to the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) to direct Torrent Power Ahmedabad Electricity Co (TPAECL) to return to consumers Rs 9.72 crore collected by it through unfair and unjustified method.

CERS spokesperson Pritee Shah alleged that TPAECL during 2004-05 made a total profit of 15.4 per cent "" around Rs 106.71 crore "" which is 1.4 per cent higher than what is permissible as per GERC regulations. The GERC restricted the permissible return to 14 per cent on capital investment for all power distribution licensees in the state.

The regulations also stipulate that of the profit beyond the permissible limit, the company should retain 50 per cent, which is 0.7 per cent in this case, and return the rest to consumers while fixing the tariff for relevant or subsequent years, Shah pointed out.

"Of the additional profit amount, 0.7per cent is to be returned to consumers or in case of utility coming forward, revision of tariff works out to Rs 4.86 crore," said Shah, adding the CERS has further submitted that Torrent Power extorted a large sum of money from consumers during 2004-05 on the pretext of theft as well as unauthorised use of energy.

The CERS has prayed to the GERC to direct TPAECL to return the entire additional profit of 1.4 per cent, which is Rs 9.72 crore, to consumers by way of reduction in tariff by 3 paise per unit permanently for all categories of consumers effective from April 1, 2005, Shah said.

He further said the CERS has a long list of customers, who have received money from TPAECL or the amount was compensated. "We have designed a special energy cell for customers who have such complaints," said Shah.

However, GERC Chairman G Shubarao declined to comment on the issue. Torrent Power officials too refused to make any remarks.