Relief likely for Maharashtra power consumers hit by inflated bills
July 30, 2020
Mumbai:The state government is likely to give relief to crores of electricity customers who complained about inflated bills during lockdown.
At a meeting on July 29, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and some other cabinet ministers, officials from state power department along with officials from Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), discussed how to give relief to consumers and a draft proposal has been sent to MERC, which once cleared by the regulator, will be tabled at the cabinet meeting next week.
Senior officials said the government may announce a rebate or reduction in tariff.
Shiv Sena leader and Cabinet Minister Anil Parab said the discussion was to extend relief to consumers.
A power utility firm official here said at the meeting with ministers on July 28, power firms made a presentation on tariff structure and how bills were generated during lockdown. "We explained how winter month consumption was used for estimated/average bills during lockdown (April-May) and subsequently, when the actual meter readings were taken in June, the bill amount went up," he said, adding that ministers will take a call on how to give "relief" to consumers. "It could be anything from rebates to reduction in power tariff, but nothing is finalised," the official said.
A MERC source said it was not possible to comment unless a final proposal was received from the state government.
Power consumer activist Pratap Hogade said that for those consuming up to 300 units, there should be a waiver on bills during lockdown. More than 94% residential consumers fall in this slab. It will cost the state exchequer around Rs 3,700 crore to provide relief, he said.
Aam Aadmi Party also sought relief for residential consumers for up to 200 units consumption. Former MP Kirit Somaiya filed a plea before MERC demanding free electricity of 100 units and 50% concession for up to 300 units during lockdown.
Bhavika Jain & Somit Sen, The Times of India, Mumbai
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