Mangaluru: Consumers strongly oppose MESCOM’s proposal for tariff hike

Mangaluru: The proposal by Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) to increase the electricity tariff by an average of Rs 1.38 per unit was vehemently opposed by farmers and consumers during a public hearing held by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) at the Collectorate Hall on Friday.

KERC President P. Ravikumar, who chaired the meeting, listened to MESCOM’s proposal and the consumers’ objections. He promised to make suitable recommendations about electricity tariffs by taking opinions of all stakeholders into consideration.

MESCOM Managing Director Manjappa explained the rationale for the tariff hike sought. The total revenue of MESCOM from all sources in 2023-24 is expected to be around Rs 4,445.43 crores, as against the expected expenses of Rs 5,214 crores in the same period. A tariff rise of Rs 1.38 per unit is required to offset the shortfall of Rs 768.97 Crores, he said.

Whereas, the consumers, both industrial and domestic, objected to the steep increase in electricity prices, they highlighted the non-implementation of earlier KERC orders by MESCOM.

Consumers also highlighted the fact that MESCOM is yet to recover pending dues. K.N.Venkatagiri Rao of the consumer forum said, MESCOM has not recovered Rs 1,214 crores pending by various consumers. Recovery of these pending dues can easily make up for the revenue shortfall. There is no need for raising the electricity tariffs, he said.

Consumers also raised the issues with the quality of electricity being supplied by MESCOM, including voltage fluctuations.