SAC to discuss matter on Aug 29, delegations share viewpoints, raise objections, says JERC member; FCIK surprised over proposal, appeals Commission not to entertain misleading plea of utility
KNO Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 12 (KNO): Several trade bodies including Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) on Saturday raised their objections with regard to the proposal submitted by Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) about subsuming electricity duty in the tariff of consumers of all categories and others.
The objections were raised during a session of public hearing held by Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) in Srinagar for obtaining views and listening to the objections from various consumers and organisations against various proposals submitted by KPDCL for approval of the Commission. The hearing session was presided over by JERC Chairman Lokesh D. Jha and two members including Er. Ajay Gupta and Mohammad Rafi Andrabi.
Secretary V.K Dhar, Managing Director of KPDCL Baseer ul Haq Chowdhary, Chief Engineer Javid Dar and others were also present on the occasion.
Divulging the details with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Muhammad Rafi Andrabi, one of the members of JERC, said that at least delegations including FCIK raised their viewpoints during the session today.
The Commission heard the objections and viewpoints of the public delegations and organization patiently. “The proposal is in the hearing stage at present. Back to back hearings are slated to take place in this regard. It will take time to come up with a conclusive decision,” he said.
He further said that the State Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting is also going to take place in this regard on August 29.
Moreover, Shakeel Qalandar, former FCIK President, who also spoke on the occasion, expressed surprise over the KPDCL’s proposal.
While talking to KNO, Qalandar said that he raised multiple points during the hearing session and stated that he has made a point that GST council was understandably contemplating to include many left out goods and services under the purview of GST which possibly may also include supply of electricity.
The delegation led by him has argued that any increase in the tariff could only be sought from the commission against valid details, which have not been furnished by the utility.
Qalandar said that FCIK has submitted the Commission not to entertain the misleading plea of the utility that there would be no impact on the last year’s tariff of consumers.
FCIK, according to him, has also opposed the proposal to double the flat rates for unmetered consumers, terming it harsh for the poor of far flung areas.
“The FCIK also took up the matter of deficiency in manpower with all power related corporations and submitted that this could directly affect the efficiency of the corporations pointing out that as per the petition there were 774 vacant posts in JKPTCL alone,” he said.
FCIK also submitted that the Commission recommended enhancement in the retirement age of senior technocrats with vast experience in a similar way as decided for medicos, university professors if it was within its mandate. FCIK regretted that two of the power corporations JKPCL and JKSPDC were running without full time heads, Qalandar added—(KNO)
