Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Ltd (APEPDCL) has ruled out power tariff hike during 2018-19.
At the first public hearing in the State held by the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) here on Monday, APEPDCL Chairman and Managing Director H.Y. Dora said they had no proposal to increase power tariff. The decision will benefit 55 lakh consumers in three North Andhra and two Godavari districts.
According to him, their annual revenue requirement (ARR) was ₹12,036 crore as against projected revenue at current tariffs including non-tariff income and cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge of ₹12,273 crore. The break-up of revenue projected is as follows: Revenue ₹9832 crore, non-tariff income ₹329 crore, cross subsidy surcharge ₹78.15 crore and additional surcharge₹33.51 crore. The revenue deficit at current tariffs is put at ₹1,764 crore.
Presiding over the meeting held amid intermittent slogan-shouting by CPI (M) activists against move to increase tariff after elections, APERC Chairman Justice G. Bhavani Prasad said they would issue an order based on facts on revenue deficit and revenue projected.
‘Election-centric’
CPI (M) State secretariat member Ch. Narsinga Rao said despite huge revenue deficit mainly due to non-release of subsidies by the government, a decision had been taken at the highest level not to hike tariff with an eye on elections due next year.
He complimented APEPDCL for its track-record at minimal T&D losses and highest revenue realisation without any power pilferage unlike other distribution companies and apprehended that taking alibi under heavy losses the government would privatise various services being rendered by APEPDCL in future.
Former Minister and Anakaplle Agriculturists’ Association Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, demanded transfer of sugarcane crushing activity from 1.3.1 LT category-III (industry) to 1.5 LT category-V (agricultural) to save sugarcane farmers from the present crisis. He said under GO Rt. No. 93 dated June 20, 2017, the compensation of land value for HT towers base area was fixed at 100% of the land value whereas the compensation for the land width of right of way corridor under the transmission lines was fixed subject to the maximum of 10% of the land value. He described it unjustified and sought the intervention of APERC.
Vessel Contractors’ Welfare Association president K. Ramakrishna Raju wanted removal of restrictions in issuing security clearance for various projects/works in Visakhapatnam. “While in all other parts of AP it takes three days through Mee Seva, in not less than three months is being issued in Visakhapatnam,” he pointed out.
