Bengaluru, Feb 21 (KNN) The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Karnataka have expressed disappointment over upward revision of power tariff being considered by KERC on the petition of ESCOMs.

“The proposed increase of Rs.1.40 per unit is quite hefty coming on top of the annual revisions is extremely burdensome for industry, especially MSMEs,” said industry body KASSIA.

The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has said that the ESCOMS have rarely achieved the targets set for them whether in terms of reduction in distribution losses or reduction of costs or the maintenance of the system to the required standards.

Added to this, industries also suffer from load shedding and power cuts and poor quality supplies inspite of repeated requests to improve the system, it added.

The state MSMEs have said that invariably industry is forced to go for captive  generation which makes it worse for them as it increases the cost of power at a time when they can hardly afford. 

The industries share in the total consumption of power in the State has been coming down year after year which negatively affects the ESCOMs as industry  is the  paying sector which helps generate revenue for the ESCOMs.

ESCOMs achievements in implementing High Voltage Distribution System  (HVDC), energy audits and improvement in the HT-LT Ratio has been very unsatisfactory.  They only resort to power revisions once a year without paying adequate attention to the management of power system which hurts the economy, and industry in particular, a great deal, said KASSIA.

KASSIA has made a detailed submission to the KERC, today, highlighting these issues and the lapses on the part of the ESCOMs requesting the KERC to dismiss their petition for tariff revision in the background of all round failure of the ESCOMS to improve the power supply in the State. (KNN Bureau)