The 27 lakh consumers of the Anil Ambani led Reliance Infrastructure would breathe a sigh of relief for the time being as the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has ordered a stay on the increased tariff hike till further orders. This means that the consumers would have to pay their electricity bills as per the already existing tariff rates.
The MERC had approved the increase in tariff proposed by the Reliance through its order dated June 15. Soon there after there was a hue and cry with violent agitations against power tariff hike by Reliance Infrastructure, by various political parties.
As a result, the Maharashtra government had to intervene on June 25 and directed the Commission to investigate as to whether Reliance Infrastructure Ltd had discharged its duties, as mentioned in the Electricity Act 2003, in the most economical manner so as to not to result in unnecessary avoidable burden on the consumers of that area and take further action as may be considered necessary.
Energy minister Sunil Tatkare in a letter to the Commission had directed to take emergent steps, withing 15 days, relating to policy of government of protecting consumers interest in a monopoly situation to ensure that no unreasonable and unjustified bills were being collected in the intervening period in which this investigation was in progress.
Accordingly, MERC initiated the inquiry procedure. Since the Commission needed some more time for detailed investigation, it sought permission from the government for grant of 10 more days to complete the inquiry.
However, on Wednesday, MERC passed an order stating: Since the Commission needs to undertake a detailed investigation on metering, power purchase expenses and transactions undertaken by Reliance Infra-D, as well as capital expenditure schemes, the tariff increase approved by the Commission for the consumers will be stayed till the Commission issues further orders.
Source: sakaaltimes