Summary:
For single phase meters the department proposed that the monthly rent be increased from Rs 10 to Rs 15. The department has increased the rent for three phase low tension meters and those with CT from Rs 20 and Rs 50 to Rs 25 and Rs 75. PANAJI: The old power tariff order for 2018-19 will continue to apply as no new tariff order will be announced this month for the new financial year, with the code of conduct in force.The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission issues a tariff order for Goa and union territories before March 31 each year in line with provisions of the Electricity Act 2003 and directions of the Appellate Tribunal of Electricity.Although the state electricity department did not propose a tariff hike for 2019-2020, it is up to the JERC to decide on the tariff for the state.The department stated that the revenue gap of Rs 308.33 crore for 2019-2020 will be funded fully through budgetary support.A letter from the undersecretary finance in November stated that it decided to provide required budgetary support to meet the total revenue gap.The commission in its last tariff order had highlighted the department’s “over reliance” on government budgetary support and observed that the government has been providing budgetary assistance for years.“In case the government had not provided the budgetary support, then an average increase of 19.43% over and above the approved tariff increase would have been required, which would have led to a tariff shock to consumers,” it stated in its last order, adding that the department “should prepare itself for the repercussions in case the government withdraws the support in the future”.Last financial year the commission hiked the tariff by 6.4 percent, higher than the 5 percent hike proposed by the Goa electricity department.While the department didn’t propose a tariff hike for 2019-2020, it has proposed an increase in the monthly meter rental charges..