Latest news with #SupplyCode
Time of India
6 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 |
The Hindu
24-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Consumer organisation asks Electricity Department to communicate to consumers on refund of excess deposit collected in Coimbatore for new connections
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause has asked the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL) to communicate clearly to electricity consumers in Coimbatore region details of the refund of excess deposit amount collected from those who sought new service connections till April last year. K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of the consumer body, said in a communication to the TNPDCL that the ₹2.5 crore of excess deposit amount collected from 2,717 consumers was adjusted in the current consumption charges of the consumers who had sought new connections and paid excess deposit amount. The deposit amount for single phase connection if the cable is laid underground is ₹7,155 and if it is overhead cable, the charges are ₹2,860. For three phase connection (three KW), the charges for overhead cable is ₹6,135 and for underground cable, it is ₹15,330. The TNPDCL collected the charges for underground cable even in areas where the supply is given through overhead cables. When this issue was raised, the TNPDCL said the excess amount was collected because of a 'system fault' in the headquarters. Based on a complaint filed by the consumer organisation with the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission on March 14 last year, the Commission said on April 3 that the extra development charges collected by way of wrong applicability of the UG development charges for the overhead service connections should be refunded to the applicants/consumers immediately or treated as advance current consumption charges paid and reported to the Commission. The application software should be corrected accordingly with immediate effect. But, the TNERC order was not followed and hence the Coimbatore Consumer Cause took up the issue again with the TNPDCL. The TNPDCL recently said that it was making adjustments in the current consumption charges. But, this had not been communicated to the consumers properly. They were unaware of the reason for the adjustment and had to approach the respective section office to know the details. While the excess amount should be adjusted for two bill cycles, the remaining amount should be refunded to consumers as the consumers were eligible to claim interest for this amount according to the Supply Code, he said.
1News
02-07-2025
- Business
- 1News
Foodstuffs North Island warned for 'likely' breach of supply code
Foodstuffs North Island has been issued a warning for treatment of a supplier that likely breached the Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023. The Commerce Commission said it believed Foodstuffs North Island "likely breached a fundamental aspect of the Supply Code which is that retailers deal with suppliers in good faith at all times". The company responded to the commission's warning by stating it took its obligations to suppliers seriously and was committed to keeping fair and constructive relationships. New Zealand's mandatory Grocery Supply Code was introduced under the Grocery Industry Competition Act, created to increase transparency and certainty for suppliers through a set of rules supermarkets need to follow when dealing with suppliers. "Foodstuffs North Island appears to have obstructed and delayed a supplier request by acting in ways that we believe were uncooperative and unreasonable," said Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden. ADVERTISEMENT He was "concerned" this followed a pattern of behaviour that has been present in the industry for decades. "This behaviour has been enabled for so long, due to the significant power imbalance between the major supermarkets — who hold the vast majority of the market — and suppliers, who have limited bargaining power in comparison," he said. A category manager at Foodstuffs North Island — who acted as the main point of contact for the supplier — also came under investigation regarding their role in the matter. "Suppliers are reliant on their relationships with the retailers' commercial teams, so the staff in these roles within the supermarkets hold a lot of power. Any behaviour that weaponises this power imbalance is unacceptable," van Heerden said. "The major supermarkets have a responsibility to make sure their staff are properly trained. They need to make sure their staff follow the rules and deal with suppliers in good faith. "The changes we're proposing to the Supply Code are intended to provide more scrutiny to these relationships and clarity about what is acceptable behaviour." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Australia's weather bomb, the surprising costs of getting one more dog, and BTS are back. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Van Heerden said the Commerce Commission had surveyed suppliers and was concerned with the responses. "Our supplier survey showed that 37% of suppliers reported their interactions with Foodstuffs North Island as negative or very negative. This is significantly higher than suppliers' ratings for Woolworths and Foodstuffs South Island, at approximately 20%." Van Heeden said the Commission was "focused on addressing this power imbalance and improving things for suppliers". "We really appreciate where suppliers have come forward to tell us about issues so we can take action – like in this case where we heard directly from the supplier involved." Foodstuffs North Island response A Foodstuffs North Island spokesperson told 1News the company took Grocery Supply Code obligations seriously, and was committed to "maintaining fair and constructive relationships with our suppliers". "Since the introduction of the code, we've implemented a comprehensive programme of training and support for our team, including dedicated intranet resources, regular drop-in sessions for commercial staff, and mandatory training modules. ADVERTISEMENT "We'll continue to work with the commission to ensure our people understand and uphold the standards expected," the spokesperson said.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Foodstuffs North Island Warned For Likely Breaking Grocery Competition Law
The Commerce Commission has issued a warning to Foodstuffs North Island (FSNI) for their treatment of a supplier that likely breached the Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023. 'We believe that Foodstuffs North Island likely breached a fundamental aspect of the Supply Code which is that retailers deal with suppliers in good faith at all times,' Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says. "I'm concerned that this follows a pattern of behaviour that has been present in the industry for decades. 'This behaviour has been enabled for so long due to the significant power imbalance between the major supermarkets, who hold the vast majority of the market, and suppliers, who have limited bargaining power in comparison. 'Foodstuffs North Island appears to have obstructed and delayed a supplier request by acting in ways that we believe were uncooperative and unreasonable. 'In this instance, based on the evidence we have, we decided a warning was the right response. However, if more examples come to light, we will not hesitate to take further action,' Mr van Heerden says. The Category Manager at FSNI, who acted as the main point of contact for the supplier, also came under investigation regarding their role in this matter. 'Suppliers are reliant on their relationships with the retailers' commercial teams, so the staff in these roles within the supermarkets hold a lot of power. Any behaviour that weaponises this power imbalance is unacceptable,' Mr van Heerden says. 'The major supermarkets have a responsibility to make sure their staff are properly trained. They need to make sure their staff follow the rules and deal with suppliers in good faith. 'The changes we're proposing to the Supply Code are intended to provide more scrutiny to these relationships and clarity about what is acceptable behaviour. 'Our supplier survey showed that 37% of suppliers reported their interactions with Foodstuffs North Island as negative or very negative. This is significantly higher than suppliers' ratings for Woolworths and Foodstuffs South Island, at approximately 20%. 'We're focused on addressing this power imbalance and improving things for suppliers. We really appreciate where suppliers have come forward to tell us about issues so we can take action – like in this case where we heard directly from the supplier involved,' Mr van Heerden says. Only a Court can determine if there has been a breach of the Act. Background The warning letter can be found on the Commission's website. New Zealand's mandatory Grocery Supply Code was introduced under the Grocery Industry Competition Act. The Code was created to increase transparency and certainty for suppliers through a set of rules supermarkets need to follow when dealing with suppliers. Bringing increased certainty to agreements between supermarkets and suppliers would give suppliers more confidence to innovate and invest in more choice for consumers. The maximum penalty for breaches of the Supply Code for an individual is $200,000, or in any other case the greater of $3 million, and the value of any commercial gain; or if that can't be ascertained 3% of the company turnover.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NZ watchdog mulls tightening grocery rules to create fairer playing field
New Zealand's competition regulator is proposing measures to create a fairer playing field between emerging grocery producers and the major supermarkets. In a two-pronged initiative, the Commerce Commission is also concerned that smaller grocery retailers face a disadvantage over their more dominant counterparts when it comes to securing competitive prices from large suppliers. The Commission presented its findings today (5 June) following a review of the Grocery Supply Code and is reaching out for feedback before it publishes its final report in September. "If the Commission doesn't see meaningful progress in 12 months, it will decide if regulations should be changed," the regulator said in a statement. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden explained: "We know the current grocery market is not serving Kiwi consumers well. The status quo lets a few major players set the rules for the rest of the industry which is negatively impacting consumers, new and expanding competitors, and small suppliers." He added: "These major players are the three main supermarkets and large national and multi-national suppliers. Their significant market share allows them to influence the settings of the market. This limits the ability for competing retailers to enter and grow in the market and often results in smaller suppliers getting an unfair deal." The draft recommendations to the Supply Code include curbing the circumstances in which supermarkets can bill suppliers for routine retail tasks, such as shelf stocking and display arrangement. Van Heerden highlighted the issue of a power disparity, saying that a "power imbalance between the major supermarkets and small suppliers creates a reluctance among suppliers to push back on supermarket demands or behaviour for fear of damaging relationships or losing access to supermarket shelves". New Zealand's grocery market is dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths. "The major supermarkets are the largest customers for most grocery suppliers," van Heerden said, controlling 82% of the market. The proposed modifications by the Commission would mandate supermarkets to keep records on how they are complying with the Code when undertaking "certain activities", including "negotiating promotions with suppliers and making deductions to payments without written consent". Looking into the wholesale supply of groceries, the Commission pointed out that promotional payments and rebates are generally inaccessible to newer or smaller retailers. 'A significant issue new and expanding supermarket competitors face is securing access to cost-effective groceries from large suppliers," Van Heerden said. "Competing retailers can't negotiate similar levels of support due to their weaker buying power." He also noted that the prevalent high-low pricing strategy used by New Zealand's major supermarkets is more extreme than in other countries, and a reduction in promotional dependence would result in more consistent and lower prices for consumers. 'The best option is for large suppliers and the major supermarkets to voluntarily change their behaviour. If they don't, we'll have to consider our other alternatives,' van Heerden said. "NZ watchdog mulls tightening grocery rules to create fairer playing field" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
