Govt hikes power tariff to cover revenue shortfall
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 02 2011:
Even though Manipur and Mizoram are under the same Electricity Regulatory Commission, the current power consumption charge imposed by the Manipur government is much higher than that imposed by the Mizoram government.
Despite this higher charge, Manipur government is considering to hike the power tariff again in order to recoup the revenue shortfall, a highly reliable source said.
Like Manipur revising the power tariffs Mizoram has also notified a 10.73% hike power tariff effective from February, with the consent of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for Manipur and Mizoram.
The two states require prior permission from the commission while revising power tariffs.
After revising the power tariff, Mizoram fixed the power charge at rate of ' 1.50 per kilowatt for domestic consumers utilizing 1 to 50 kilowatt and ' 1.85, for consumers consuming from 51 to 100 kw at ' 3.50 .
On the other hand, Manipur government is fixing its power tariff doubled that of Mizoram.
The latest revised tariff revised by the state government imposes ' 2.60 per unit to domestic consumers utilizing power upto 100 units, ' 2.90 for consumers consuming power above 100 per units but less than 200 units, and ' 3.20 per units for consumers utilizing above 200 units of power.
Both Manipur and Mizoram are states which purchase power from other states.
However, Mizoram imposes power tariff at the lowest apart from supplying power regularly.
In total contrast, Manipur government is heavily taxing the domestic consumers.
Power loss at the time of distribution for Manipur for in 2010-11 is projected at 45%.With this projected loss, the power department has decided to cover the revenue shortfall through additional revenue by revising the power tariff, the source charged.