Latest news with #ElectricityRegulatoryCommission
Hans India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Hans India
CPM demands withdrawal of Rs 12,771 cr power tariff burden
Vijayawada: CPM state committee strongly condemned the proposed additional burden of Rs 12,771 crore in electricity charges under the guise of 'True-Up' adjustments. The party is demanding the immediate withdrawal of this proposal and has called on the public to make the 'Praja Vedika' protests on August 5 a success. In a statement here on Friday, CPM state secretary V Srinivasa Rao criticised the move, noting that while the government claims it is not increasing electricity tariffs, the distribution companies have submitted proposals to the Electricity Regulatory Commission to levy a True-Up charge of Rs 12,771 crore for the period between 2019-20 and 2023-24. Srinivasa Rao said that this could not have happened without the state government's knowledge and urged the government to intervene immediately to halt the proposed hike. He pointed out that over the past 36 months consumers have already paid Rs 3,000 crore in True-Up charges for the 2014-19 period. After the new coalition government came to power, an additional burden of Rs 15,485 crore was imposed in adjustment charges for 2022-23 and 2023-24. Furthermore, consumers have been charged an extra 40 paise per unit every month for the current financial year (2024-25), collecting another Rs 2,787 crore. He also mentioned that smart meters would lead to further financial burdens. Srinivasa Rao accused the coalition government of breaking its promise to reduce electricity charges, a pledge made during the election. He pointed out that despite recent public announcements about a reduction of Rs 449 crore through a 'True-Down' adjustment, the distribution companies have simultaneously proposed a massive increase. The Electricity Regulatory Commission issued a notification on July 30 seeking public feedback on the proposal. The CPM leader declared that the practice of collecting True-Up charges years after the initial tariffs were set is illegal. He alleged that the government and distribution companies are using this system to increase costs through illegal agreements and corruption with corporate companies, ultimately passing the burden onto consumers. The party has called on the public to participate in the protests organised by Praja Vedika on August 5 to oppose the electricity tariff hikes, demand the abolition of True-Up and fuel adjustment charges, and reject the implementation of smart meters.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI(M) calls for protest on August 5 against ‘true-up charges' burden
The CPI(M) State Committee has opposed the proposed additional ₹12,771 crore power tariff burden under the true-up charges, and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The party appealed to the people to participate in the Statewide protests under the banner of Praja Vedika on August 5. In a statement on Friday, CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said that despite claims by the government that there would be no hike in power charges, the distribution companies had submitted proposals to the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) seeking to impose the massive burden for the retail supply deficit from 2019–20 to 2023–24. He accused the government of being complicit, and demanded that should intervene and halt the process. He also pointed out that over the past 36 months, ₹3,000 crore had already been collected for the 2014–19 true-up period. Since the coalition government assumed power, it had imposed ₹15,485 crore in fuel surcharge adjustment charges for 2022–23 and 2023–24, and an additional ₹2,787 crore in 2024–25 alone at a rate of 40 paise per unit per month. The upcoming rollout of smart meters would further increase consumer burden, he warned. He criticised the coalition parties for breaking their electoral promise of reducing power tariffs and accused them of shifting the financial burden of mismanagement and corporate corruption onto common consumers.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan slams draft amendment on solar power
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan has demanded the withdrawal of the draft amendment on renewable energy regulations related to solar power plants, warning that it could cripple solar power generation in the state. 'The draft amendment mandates a three-phase connection for installing solar panels with a capacity of 3 kilowatts and requires those producing 5 kilowatts of solar power to store 30% of it in batteries. It also includes levying a surcharge of Rs 1 per unit of electricity generated, to be paid to KSEB, and implementing net metering for those producing above 3 kilowatts. None of these conditions are acceptable." "If the amendment is enforced, all solar plants in the state will be forced to shut down,' said Satheesan. He criticised the recommendation to use batteries from two unavailable brands in the market, calling it corruption. 'This is a pro-private, anti-people decision. Both the government and the Electricity Regulatory Commission should roll back the proposal immediately,' added Satheesan.
News18
21-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Power Tariff Likely To Be Hiked By 30% In UP As Revenue Shortfall Hits Rs 19,600 Crore
Last Updated: UPPCL reported that 78.65 lakh consumers have not paid their electricity bills for the past six months, adding to Rs 36,117 crore in outstanding dues The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is planning a 30% hike in electricity rates, potentially burdening residents, after reporting a Rs 19,600 crore revenue shortfall to the state's Electricity Regulatory Commission. Electricity tariffs in the state have remained unchanged for nearly five years, leading to a revenue gap that has increased by 12.4%. UPPCL has appealed to the Regulatory Commission, citing an inability to sustain further losses, and has presented data indicating that 54.24 lakh consumers have not paid their bills at all, resulting in an outstanding amount of Rs 36,353 crore. Additionally, the UPPCL stated that 78.65 lakh consumers have not paid their electricity bills for six months, contributing to a further Rs 36,117 crore in outstanding payments. The corporation has urged the commission to make a decision based on these figures, highlighting that in the financial year 2023-24, UPPCL and power companies incurred total expenditures of Rs 107,209 crore while generating revenues of only Rs 67,955 crore, leaving a gap of Rs 39,254 crore. Despite a state government subsidy of Rs 19,494 crore, there remains a revenue shortfall of Rs 5,910 crore. At the same time, UPPCL's cumulative losses has crossed Rs 1.10 lakh crore by March 2024.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Biofuel push: Madhya Pradesh rolls out policy for CBG, biodiesel with land and tax sops
New Delhi: In a move aimed at tapping into its vast reserves of agricultural waste and forest biomass, the Madhya Pradesh government has unveiled a new policy offering capital subsidies of up to ₹200 crore to attract investment in compressed biogas (CBG), biodiesel, and other advanced biofuel projects. With plans to roll out one biofuel plant in every development block, the state has laid down an ambitious blueprint under the Madhya Pradesh Renewable Energy Policy 2025 to strengthen clean energy supply chains, reduce rural waste, and boost income for farmers and biomass aggregators. The policy, notified by the New and Renewable Energy Department, introduces a dedicated biofuel investment promotion scheme applicable to CBG, biodiesel, bio-coal and similar fuels excluding first-generation ethanol. Projects must commence commercial production after the date of notification and register with the department to avail benefits. Under the Basic Investment Promotion Assistance (BIPA) scheme, capital support of up to ₹200 crore will be given in seven annual instalments. An additional ₹5 crore can be availed for infrastructure such as roads, water pipelines, electricity lines, and drainage facilities. Biofuel plants with a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system for waste management are eligible for support of up to ₹10 crore. One plant per development block will be allowed. If more than one investor applies, the District Committee headed by the Collector will select a suitable candidate based on land availability, technology, and financial criteria. For land support, the state will allot government revenue land at 50 per cent of the circle rate and forest/agriculture land for biomass at 10 per cent of annual guideline rates. The state has fixed minimum land requirements based on plant capacity. A 10-tonne per day CBG unit will need at least 10 acres. Land norms have also been defined for biodiesel and bio-coal projects. Allotments will be valid for 30 years, renewable upon mutual agreement. The scheme offers waiver of electricity duty and energy development cess for 10 years from commercial operation. Additionally, the policy allows 50 per cent reimbursement of stamp duty on private land purchases and exemptions from cross-subsidy surcharges (CSS) and additional surcharges for projects supplying to third parties, subject to approval by the Electricity Regulatory Commission. The Agriculture Department will appoint one aggregator per development block for biomass collection and supply to these projects. Aggregators can be farmer-producer organisations, co-operatives or private players. All FPOs will be eligible to sign long-term supply contracts with biofuel plants and obtain working capital from NABARD and cooperative banks. Urban development departments will coordinate supply of segregated organic waste, while the Animal Husbandry Department will link cattle dung for plant use. The Forest Department will identify degraded forest land for plantation and fuelwood sourcing. For mechanisation, the policy allows capital subsidy of ₹20 lakh per biomass collection set (balers, cutters, trolleys), with state support of 30 per cent and Centre's SMAM scheme contributing 50%. All capital subsidy claims will be routed through the nodal department and verified by district-level committees. The policy mandates that biofuel projects must sell bio-manure generated as a by-product through fertiliser dealers registered under the Fertiliser Control Order. An integrated online portal will track feedstock flow, project implementation and connect developers, farmers, and aggregators. Pollution Control Board clearance is required for each project. Biofuel produced under the scheme must comply with standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Customised packages of incentives for mega projects above ₹500 crore will be reviewed and recommended by the Cabinet Committee on Investment Promotion (CCIP).
