Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25: Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) has urged upon the Lt Governor to withdraw massive hike in the proposed power tariff in J&K UT.
An emergency meeting of members of BBIA was held today under the chairmanship of Lalit Mahajan in presence of Tarun Singla, senior vice president, Ajay Langer vice president, Viraaj Malhotra general secretary, Rajesh Jain secretary and others to discuss the proposed Power tariff hike for Industry as per the petition filed by Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd with the increase of 36% to 71% Power tariff along with substantial increase in the Fixed/ Demand charges for the year 2022-23 for Industrial Sector of J&K resulting uncertainty prevails in the mind of the existing Industrial units as well as prospective investors who are in the process of setting up of new units on the basis of Industrial Package announced by Govt of India.
While going through the proposed Power tariff hike Petition for the FY 2022-23 put on public domain by Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, It has been noticed that for Industrial Sector the steep increase of 36 % to 71% in Power tariff and 10 % to 113% in the fixed charges proposed.
It is a matter of great concern that such a steep increase projected by the Department, which was never projected in past. It is pertinent to mention here that the Department has failed to reduce the AT&C losses which is projected @ 43.77% for the FY 2022-23 whereas the National level average AT&C losses is approx 20% but in last 3 years Department has failed to reduce the Transmission losses which is 50 to 52 % as per the Petition. The JPDCL has mentioned with the justification of gap between the purchase and supply of energy which is as our opinion only due to excessive Transmission losses in comparison to National level, whereas in respect of Industrial Units working in Bari Brahmana Industrial Complex, the Transmission losses are well within the prescribed limit of Power Development Department which is 7 to 8 %, hence, we do not understand the reason for increase in the Power tariff for Industrial Sector who is depositing Rs 225 crores annually for the purchase of power.
The Government should take preventive measures to plug the loopholes in the system and try to control Transmission losses in the areas other than the Industrial areas and also improve the Infrastructure to control the Transmission losses, BBIA said.
The BBIA urged the Lt Governor and Pr Secy Power, Nitishwar Kumar to look into matter and issue necessary directions for the withdrawal of proposed petition put on Public domain by Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited.
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