Mixed response to power utility plan

Though the proposal has been unanimously approved,albeit with suggestions,by a majority of the speakers,including Confederation of Indian Industries (CII),NGOs and local activists,BJP MLAs Girish Bapat and Madhuri Misal,along with their party colleagues Vikas Mathkari,Sandeep Khardekar and others,have threatened to launch agitations if the additional supply charge was hiked.

The MSEDCL had proposed an additional supply charge from consumers for withdrawing loadshedding at the revenue divisions of Pune,Amravati,Nashik,Aurangabad,Thane,Vashi and Nagpur.

At present,the shortfall of power in Pune is 135 MW for 12 hours and power is purchased at a cost of Rs 6.75 per unit. The zero loadshedding model has been implemented in Pune with the help of the captive power plants since the last three years. Now the power utility is exploring its own options of power purchase to ensure zero loadshedding in all divisions and made a presentation at the MERC hearing. According to the proposal,residential consumers,consuming electricity to the tune of 300 units per month,will also have to pay a reliability charge.

While almost all organisations including Prayas Energy Group,Sajag Grahak Manch,Tata Motors Limited and others welcomed the proposal,several suggestions like accountability and transparency were also put forth.

The Prayas Energy group suggested that there should be a ceiling on the maximum cost of power that can be purchased for zero loadshedding. Vivek Velankar of the Sajag Grahak Manch has demanded that an independent audit agency should be appointed to monitor the power purchase and suggested that domestic consumers with less than 200 units consumption per month should be exempted from the reliability charge.

Pradeep Bhargava,former chairman of the CII (western region),said citizens consuming less than 300 units should be spared from the additional reliability charge.

Suggestions to MSEDCL
Prayas Energy group: there should be a ceiling on the maximum cost of power that can be purchased for zero loadshedding
Vivek Velankar: Vivek Velankar of the Sajag Grahak Manch
Pradeep Bhargava: those consuming less than 300 units should be spared from the additional reliability charge

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