Reliance Energy holding up shift to uniform tariff: Minister

Mumbai, Sep 6 (PTI) Private utility Reliance Energy’s"negative attitude" is holding up shifting to uniform powertariff rates in Mumbai for consumers using up to 100 units amonth, Maharashtra Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankuletoday said. Tata Power, civic-run BEST and Government-ownedMahavitaran are all ready to reduce tariffs and shift touniform structure. Only Reliance Energy is not in favour ofthe move, arguing it needs Rs 1,000 crore to offset its losses(likely to be caused by uniform tariff structure), he said. All four companies serve power needs of Mumbai and itssuburbs. Reliance Energy’s "negative attitude" is holding upthe plan for moving to uniform power tariff rate in themetropolis, he told reporters at Mantralaya here. He said "Reliance Energy has been asked to reduce itsadministrative costs. The Government wants reduced powertariff rates for consumers using less than 100 units a month." Bawankule said the Government has already announcedit will conduct an audit of power distribution companies(discoms). "The Government will conduct an audit of the tariffproposals submitted by Reliance Energy in the last 10 years toMaharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC)." The Minister said tariff proposals of the other threepower supplying utilities are pending before the regulator. He said the Government will wait for the MERC verdictand if need arises, it will exercise special powers vested init to issue orders for reduction in power tariff rates forthose consuming less than 100 units. Meanwhile, a prolonged dry spell in the State has ledChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to direct the Energydepartment to ensure 12-hour power supply during day time tooperate agricultural pumps till November. The direction was given to save kharif crops fromwilting. Disclosing this, Bawankule said the Government hasmoved the MERC over the issue and the decision will incur anadditional cost of about Rs 600 crore. "Due to the Jal Yukt Shivar (Government’s waterconservation programme), there is now water in village pondsand rivers. However, farmers cannot lift water through pumpsdue to non-supply of electricity during day time." He said personnel from the Maharashtra State SecurityCorporation will be roped in to curb power thefts. Bawankule said the Government is in the process ofsupplying solar power through agriculture feeders to runpumps. A pilot project is underway at Sangamner taluka inAhmednagar district. PTI MM RSYRGJMF