Latest news with #JERC
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Consumers owe Rs 350cr in dues, says power minister
Panaji: Dues amounting to Rs 350 crore are pending from power consumers in the state. Govt consumers are the biggest defaulters, with Rs 142.7 crore pending, followed by commercial consumers who owe govt Rs 122.8 crore, and domestic consumers who owe Rs 85.4 crore. The information was provided by power minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar in a written reply in the assembly. His reply stated that 6,551 consumers owe the department more than Rs 1 lakh in dues as of June 2025. These include around 3,000 public services consumers, which comprise govt departments. These also include 300 electricity department connections of its various offices. Another 1,525 defaulters are commercial consumers, 1,718 are domestic consumers, and 500-odd are industrial consumers. Of the total 6,551, 2,968 connections are active. When asked about the steps taken to recover amounts from major defaulters, Dhavalikar said a 15-day notice is served to the consumers to pay arrears, failing which the connection is temporarily disconnected. For consumers approaching the department with financial problems, the department provides an instalment plan to recover the payments in part, depending upon the past payments trend of the consumer, with applicable delay charges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like EV chargers from £899 ScottishPower Learn More Undo Failing this, the connection is temporarily disconnected, he said. If the temporary disconnection lasts for six months, the department serves another notice to the defaulter, after which the connection is permanently disconnected if dues are not cleared. Finally, the matter is referred to the revenue recovery court. At a public hearing in May, conducted by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), to discuss the proposed power tariff hike, consumers appealed to the JERC to keep the tariff hike on hold until the department recovers dues from govt departments and other defaulters first.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh residents raise red flags over power tariff hike proposal at JERC hearing
Residents vehemently opposed the proposed hike in electricity tariffs during a public hearing conducted by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) on Friday. The hearing was held in response to a petition submitted by Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), seeking approval for revised tariffs for the financial years 2025-26 to 2029-30. Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited has projected a cumulative revenue gap of ₹ 982 crore (excluding carrying costs) over the next five years and has requested a suitable tariff revision to cover the shortfall. (HT File Photo for representation) In its petition, CPDL stated that the projected revenue from power sales at the current rates is insufficient to meet the estimated costs of efficient electricity distribution. The utility company has projected a cumulative revenue gap of ₹982 crore (excluding carrying costs) over the next five years and has requested a suitable tariff revision to cover the shortfall. Residents, however, expressed strong resentment over the proposed hike, citing that tariffs had already been increased recently. 'Another hike would be a double blow to consumers,' said members of various residents' associations. Indian Citizens' Forum (ICF) president SK Nayar and secretary Narinder Sharma pointed out that CPDL has launched a load self-declaration scheme for low-tension (LT) consumers. They claimed the form provided is neither approved by the JERC nor in accordance with the JERC Supply Code, making it difficult for consumers to fill correctly. This, they said, could lead to inflated bills due to misdeclared load and requested that the scheme be put on hold until proper approval is obtained. The ICF also raised concerns about the transfer of 220KV substations and feeders to CPDL, stating that assets above 66KV fall under the jurisdiction of the transmission utility, not the distribution licencee. They demanded separate tariff approvals for transmission and exclusion of transmission losses from the current petition. Highlighting inefficiencies, the ICF noted that losses mentioned in Para 4.2.5 of the petition are higher than those approved previously, indicating a lack of effort by the former licencee. They urged the commission not to pass these losses onto consumers.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Power play in UT: Public voices rise against tariff hike
1 2 Chandigarh: The usually serene halls of the Government Museum & Art Gallery, Sector 10, echoed with passionate pleas and pointed protests as the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) held a public hearing on electricity tariff proposals and power management for the current financial year. Citizens, activists, and representatives from across the city gathered to challenge what many called an "unjust" and "exploitative" hike in electricity charges. Representing over 100 Resident Welfare Associations, Crawfed came out swinging against Chandigarh Power Distribution Ltd (CPDL). Their spokesperson lambasted the proposed increase in both usage and fixed charges, highlighting a staggering 500% rise in fixed charges over the past two decades. "This is not just unfair—it's inhumane," they declared, demanding that tariffs be based on actual consumption rather than the number of household appliances. Crawfed also called for an overhaul of CPDL's operations, urging JERC to curb unannounced power cuts that continue to disrupt daily life. The members of the Indian Citizens' Forum (ICF) raised the issue of refunding wrongly charged meter rentals and payment of compensation to all complainants in Chandigarh for the wrongful charging of meter rentals. SK Nayar, President, ICF, submitted, "CPDL has floated a scheme for SELF DECLARATION of LOAD for LT consumers only, but the format circulated is neither as per JERC approved format of Supply Code. This scheme is meant only for LT consumers and that too for excess load only, it means no HT consumer is allowed to avail benefit of this scheme to increase or decrease his load. Similarly, LT consumer also not allowed decreasing his load as per this scheme whereas no such bar exists in the Supply Code, 2018 with its up-to-date amendment." Narinder Sharma, Secretary, ICF, stated, "In case of defective/stuck/stopped/burnt meter, the consumer shall be billed on the basis of higher of monthly consumption of corresponding month of the previous year and average monthly consumption of immediately preceding three months. These charges shall be leviable for a maximum period of three months only during which time the Licensee is expected to have replaced the defective meter. " AAP sounds alarm on privatization fallout The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chandigarh unit opposed the electricity tariff hike. AAP leaders formally submitted a memorandum and voiced their objections during the public hearing. "This was the first tariff hike after the privatisation of the electricity wing in 2025, when the profitable govt-run department was handed over to Chandigarh Power Distribution Ltd (CPDL). AAP opposed this privatisation from day one, participating in city-wide protests alongside electricity department employees. We warned that this company would exploit the public to show artificial losses and hike tariffs; today our fears have come true," said AAP Chandigarh President Vijaypal Singh. MSID:: 122906868 413 |
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New JERC rules push power dept to plan for demand, prevent shortages
Panaji: To improve electricity reliability, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has notified guidelines to help power distribution companies plan power purchases better and avoid shortages. These rules, known as the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Framework for Resource Adequacy) Regulations, 2025, are designed to ensure that there is enough electricity available to meet the growing demand, especially during peak seasons like summer. According to the guidelines, electricity distribution agencies like the Goa electricity department will be required to forecast how much power will be needed on a monthly, seasonal and yearly basis. Department officials must plan for any gaps in power requirements and contract additional power if needed. This will help avoid sudden power cuts or blackouts during high-demand periods, the guidelines stated. 'Peak demand (in MW) shall be determined by considering the average load factor, load diversity factor, seasonal variation factors for the last three years, and the load forecasts (in MWh) obtained,' the guidelines said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Capital Gains Exemptions for Seniors SmartAsset Learn More Undo Failure to plan power requirements leading to power cuts could result in penalties, according to the notified guidelines. These penalties cannot be passed on to the consumers. It is expected to hold the Goa electricity department accountable and prevent mismanagement. The new rules also make it mandatory for electricity providers to publicly share how much power they are buying or selling. This data must be uploaded to their websites regularly. Consumers will now be able to access information on power availability, giving them greater visibility into how their electricity is being managed. These guidelines also apply to state transmission companies and full, open access consumers that are connected to the power grid. The JERC guidelines push for improved coordination among power companies, load management centres, and govt bodies. All electricity providers will have to work together to share data on power demand, availability and consumer usage patterns. The Goa electricity department will have to set up two dedicated teams — one for long-term planning and another to manage day-to-day electricity buying and selling of power. These teams will be responsible for ensuring there is no gap between demand and supply, the guidelines said.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
GCCI seeks fair power supply, cites disparity
Panaji: The Goa electricity department 's business plan reveals a stark mismatch in sectoral earnings and equitable power supply. According to the plan presented before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), industrial users form only 1% of the consumer base but generate 49% of the revenue for the department. In contrast, domestic users constitute 79% of the consumer base but contribute just 31% of total revenue to the department. 'Despite this, industrial consumers are often the first to face supply curtailments during load restrictions. This approach appears inequitable and calls for a more balanced load management strategy that considers the disproportionate contribution of industrial consumers to the overall system revenue,' said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) director general Sanjay Amonkar . Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar The GCCI has conveyed its concern to the JERC and the electricity department about the differential treatment accorded to industrial consumers. The electricity department gave its business plan and tariff proposals to JERC. however, the JERC came up with a new supply tariff structure and told the department to amend its business plan and tariff plans. The GCCI also urged govt to explore alternate sources of power generation to meet the deficit in power supply during peak hours. These initiatives could include battery storage for renewable power, pumped storage, mini and small hydro units, and long-term power purchases. 'Goa is short of peak power, and it procures it at a high cost. A few options for Goa may involve R&D, but it is worth having a look at,' said Amonkar. The GCCI said that the electricity department has not created contingency plans for power supply during an emergency. 'This has not been explicitly provided for in the business plan. Goa needs to have a backup supply plan to cater to crisis situations,' said Amonkar.
