MESCOM Seeks Average Power Tariff Hike of Rs 1.4/ Unit: Consumers Strongly Object The Proposal

The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) has submitted a proposal to Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), to hike power tariff by an average of Rs 1.4 per unit. The MESCOM projected a deficit of Rs 769 crore for the year 2023-24, and appealed to the commission for an average hike of Rs 1.4/unit.

However, consumers, industrial bodies and organisations opposed the proposal of MESCOM, that sought a hike in tariff. Members of the Small Scale Industries Association, pointing out the various reasons that affected the industrial output in the past few years, said that there is no need for a tariff hike at present. MESCOM has 18.4 lakh domestic power connections, 3.8 lakh pump set connections, 2.4 lakh commercial connections, 36,000 industrial units, and other connections, in four districts. The transmission loss, which was 11.4% in 2016-17, has reduced to 9% in 2021-22, officials said.