The Hindu : KERC to hold hearing in Thirthahalli

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 18, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

KERC to hold hearing in Thirthahalli

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Jan. 17. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will hold this year's first public hearing on the proposed tariff petition on January 30 at Thirthahalli in Shimoga District.

This is because consumers of Thirthahalli have sent the most number of objections to the proposed increase sought by the electricity supply companies (escoms). Thirthahalli, under Mangalore escom, has contributed 251 of the 300 objections filed before the KERC so far.

Consumers in Bescom and Gescom (Bangalore and Gulbarga escoms) have filed only three objections each while there are 10 objections from Hubli escom consumers. The last date for filing objections is January 28.

This is the first time that the KERC is holding a public hearing in a place other than the regional headquarters. The KERC Chairman, Philipose Mathai, told reporters here on Friday that at last year's hearing, the commission had promised the villagers of Thirthahalli of a hearing there.

Besides, the area had some specific problems of its own. So, the KERC might visit certain spots. He said the KERC would only visit other regions after looking at the quality and seriousness of the objections filed.

Among the politicians who filed objections was the MLC, Shashil B. Namoshi. A KERC advisory member, Ananth Huligol, also filed an objection.

The four escoms and the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) had, on December 16, published tariff notifications seeking an average overall increase of 10.23 per cent. As per the Karnataka Electricity Reform Act, the KERC must pass final orders within three months of that publication.

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KERC to hold hearing in Thirthahalli