Failing to control transmission losses, J&KSERC burdens industry with power tariff hike: J&K MSMEs

Jammu, Dec 8 (KNN) The J&K based MSMEs, who have been facing slowdown in their businesses for last few months because of several reasons including the on an off unease environment in the state, demonetization etc have now been slapped from 10 to 13% increased power tariff hike by the government.

In this regard, the Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) held a meeting of its members to discuss the issue regarding the unwarranted Power Tariff Hike from 10 to 13% by JKSERC for Industrial Sector.

Lalit Mahajan, Chairman, FOIJ, who chaired the meeting, highlighted that the order to hike power tariff was passed on 07-10-2016 but put on public domain on 15-11-2016.

“However, it was made applicable from 01-10-2016 for the reason best known to the authorities of J&KSERC as all the Government. Orders always applicable from the date of publication of order in print & Electronic Media,” FOIJ said.

The member MSME units raised serious concerns in respect of the 10 to 13% Power Tariff Hike for Industrial Sector by J&KSERC alleging that the Power Development Department has failed to control the Transmission Losses resulting huge financial losses to the Government.

“PDD Department also failed to implement the directives for the 100% Metering as Non Metering is the major factor of Power theft and Transmission Losses,” they said.

“The industrial sector is penalized by the JKSERC by increasing the power tariff in spite of fact that industry consumes 30% power & contributes 70% of total revenue generation of PDD, Industry is 100% metered & generates 100% revenue and the T&D losses are much less than the national average,” Mahajan said.

He said, “The PDD Department has failed to reduce the T&D Losses in last five years which is increasing day by day. Further, no action has been taken by the Power Development Department to regularize the unmetered Power Supply to different Consumers of our State resulting heavy losses to State exchequer and the Department has passed the burden to the Genuine Consumers.”

FOIJ mentioned that the PDD Department has failed to implement the  SERC directions which includes the Simple Interest on the delayed Payment of Power Dues, 24 Hours Power Supply and other related matters. The PDD Department also failed to provide funds for the maintenance of Grid/Receiving Station resulting prolonged Power Cuts/Tripping for which no one is accountable.

The MSMEs unanimously said the industrial sector is passing through crisis due to ongoing turmoil in the Kashmir Valley, blockage of funds for the supplies to PDD and other Government Department since long and any burden of increased power traffic may affect the working of their units resulting further retrenchment of industrial workers.

The MSME entrepreneurs have sought immediate intervention of the State Government into the matter to issue necessary orders to roll back of recent power tariff hike for industrial sector. (KNN Bureau)