The losses of power distribution companies in Haryana which stood at Rs 1,360 crore in 2005, surged up to Rs 29,362 crore in financial year 2014-15, the state Assembly was informed today.
Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar informed the House that the losses of distribution companies, "which amounted to Rs 1,360 crore in 2005, increased to Rs 26,952 crore in 2013-14 and further increased to Rs 29,362 crore in 2014-15."
He was answering on behalf of the Chief Minister to a question raised by BJP MLA Gian Chand Gupta.
Panwar also that in order to make utilities profitable and to provide people uninterrupted 24-hour power supply, "Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon" scheme has been started on 83 feeders spread over 90 constituencies of the state.
He informed the House that under the new scheme, 24-hour power would be supplied in areas where line losses were 20 per cent on feeders and bills are paid to the extent of 90 per cent.
All conductors, which are more than 50-year-old, are being replaced and old meters are being replaced without any fine, he further said.
Panwar said that the Haryana Power Regulatory Commission had been advising the government from time to time to increase the power tariff, but the previous government allegedly did not do so and the losses of power distribution companies kept increasing.
He said that power tariff was increased by 0.6 per cent in 2001-02.
"After that, tariff rate was not increased from 2002-03 to 2009-10. It was increased by 11.87 per cent in 2011-12, 13.33 per cent in 2012-13, 11.48 per cent in 2013-14 and 15 per cent in 2014-15. The present government which increased the tariff by 8.51 per cent is committed to providing 24-hour power supply to domestic, agricultural and for the industry," he said.
