The Standing Council of Trade Unions, a combine of trade unions in the industries sector, has said if the demand by Kerala State Electricity Board to hike power charges continuously for five years between 2022 and 2027 was accepted by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission, it would be a big setback for the government efforts to encourage industries in the State.
The demand from KSEB will come up for public hearing on April 1 at the Ernakulam Town Hall, on April 6 in Thiruvananthapuram Jimmy George Stadium, on April 11 in Kozhikode Nalanda Auditorium and on April 13 at the EMS Memorial Hall in Palakkad.
The Board has claimed that its expenses will amount to ₹18,829 crore in 2022, which will go up to ₹23,382 crore in 2027. At the same time its revenue, claimed the Board, would be ₹15,976 crore in 2022 and ₹18,203 crore in 2027.
A communication from the trade unions claimed the Board expected to increase its income by ₹2,250 crore during 2022-23, followed by substantial increases over the following years.
The demand, if accepted by the Regulatory Board, would result in a situation in which extra high tension power consumers will be unable to operate. Major industrial units like TCC, KMRL, FACT, Apollo Tyres and even textile units will be hit, the trade unions said. The power tariff hike will also hinder employment opportunities in the future, the unions said. These big industrial units will see 40 to 68 per cent increase in their power charges, the unions added.
The trade unions said the Regulatory Commission should examine the demand made by KSEB about the expenses it incurs before taking a decision. The unions have said they would organise a protest march to the Regulatory Commission office after the hearings in April.
