The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Coimbatore News : Readers' Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Readers' Mail

EB bill clarification

Sir — With reference to the above, the following points may kindly be published in the Readers Mail.

1. TNEB consumers are thankful to the Chief Engineer, TNEB, Coimbatore for the clarification issued on the subject of monthly billing system in response to the letter in the `Readers Mail' column on Feb 18, 2004. But the authorities must accept that consumers were not given proper information on this issue at the time of implementation of the tariff structure, particularly in respect of whether the tariff is applicable on a monthly basis or bi-monthly basis. Secondly, the rates stamped on the bill payment cards also give only bi-monthly rates without any mention of equivalent monthly rates.

Further, the notices exhibited in the bill collection centres did not give any details of monthly rates as equivalent to bi-monthly ones. It is not known why the Electricity Department had suppressed the equivalent monthly rates against the bi-monthly ones in all their records. Therefore, this is not a misrepresentation as indicated by the Chief Engineer. During the CPC meeting also, it was not clarified satisfactorily as indicated by the Chief Engineer, as the tariff book shown also did not contain the equivalent monthly rates.

Moreover, the Chief Engineer has not clarified regarding the bifurcation of the existing slab viz. 201 to 600 units as most of the affected consumers fall in this group.

2. The Government, while revising the power tariff in 2000, created two classifications among domestic consumers namely those consuming up to 100 units in two months and those who bi-monthly consumption exceeds 100 units.

Earlier, the charges for the first two slabs (up to 50 units and 51 to 100 units) were uniform for all consumers irrespective of the level of their total consumption. The rates for the first two slabs viz. up to 50 units and 51 to 100 units had been retained at 65 paise and 75 paise and in the case of the rest, namely, above 100 units, new tariffs were fixed higher at 75 and 85 paise respectively; it means this section of the consumers have to pay more, right from their first unit of consumption.

Apart from this, the new rates of consumption beyond 100 units are: for 101 to 200 units, 150 paise (against 130 paise earlier); 201 to 600 units, 220 paise (Rs. 1.95 earlier); and 601units and above, 305 paise (Rs. 2.75 earlier). This enhancement in charges was in the range of 6 to 13%. This revision would affect around 26 lakh consumers.

3. As the losses of the TNEB have gone up and to make up for the losses of about Rs. 250 crores every year, the Government has been shifting the tariff burden to industry and as the saturation point has been attained which would render the industry uncompetitive, they have now turned to the domestic segment. Therefore the Government had proposed increase for all slabs which hovers at around 30%. About three-fourths of the total domestic consumers, approximately 75 lakhs, come under these slabs, which are sought to be covered by this 30% hike (The Hindu dt 2-10-2000).

4. In spite of various representations from the public, the Government was very keen on implementing the new hiked tariff during 2003. As per the latest news appearing in the dailies (March 21, 2004), the Electricity Board is restructuring the establishment shortly, during which another hike is not ruled out.

N. Sivan

Retd. Deputy Chief Signal & Telecom Engineer, Indian Railways &

Member, Coimbatore District

Consumers' Protective Council,

Coimbatore

* * *

Safety in temples

Sir - It is a pity that some Hindu temples lack proper fire safety measures. Crackers and fireworks are displayed. Homa kundams are prepared in sheds with thatched roofing posing danger. A spark alone can spell trouble. If the Homa kundams are provided in sheds with tinsheet/galvanised sheet-roofs, many tragedies could be averted.

It is high time the government issued instructions to the authorities to inspect the temples before the start of such annual festivals and urge the temple managements to obtain permission.

P.N. Krishnan

Coimbatore.

* * *

Train diversion

Sir - It is understood that there is a proposal to divert the Kanyakumari-Mumbai Express through Konkan railway line. Though intended to minimise the running time it will cause a great disappointment, loss of revenue to the Railways and hardship to the existing passengers from other major cities. Coimbatore is one of the biggest cities of Tamil Nadu. Industrial growth is dependent on direct connectivity to Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi and Chennai. Cutting of the direct train link to Mumbai is likely to affect the flexible movement of business community of Coimbatore and Mumbai. This train is fully occupied on all days and hence if the train is diverted revenue will be affected.

The Kurla Express now running between Coimbatore city and Kurla terminus of Mumbai is also likely to be started from Palakad. This train is also fully occupied on all days. This extension will affect the people of Coimbatore as their seat quota is likely to be reduced drastically. Already more than 75% of the seats are allotted as quota to Bangalore City. Considering the above facts, the Railway Minister is requested to retain the route of travel of the above two trains in the interest of public and also the Railways.

P.L.N. Reddy,

Coimbatore.

* * *

A new dawn

Sir — This refers to the article `A break through cricket series'. I entirely agree with you that it has opened a new era in Indo-Pak relations. It is also worth mentioning that this series has also brought out the indubitable love and affection of Indian Muslims for their team and country. It was a treat to watch Indian Muslims celebrating India's victory against Pakistan with the same spirit. I congratulate the electronic and print media for their timely projection of this particular factor. It is a fitting and conclusive reply to those who are always critical of Muslim patriotism.

Dr. K.M. Abul Hasan,

Erode.

* * *

Power supply hit

Sir — Power supply to Kovaipudur is occasionally disrupted. Once the power goes off, it is restored only after four to five hours. If we try to ring up Madukkarai sub-station or the Kovaipudur TNEB office, none picks up the phone or the phone is off the hook.

Thanks to a number of colleges and schools, Kovaipudur has a large student population. These days, children are preparing for examinations. Besides, a large number of senior citizens have settled down here to lead a comfortable life, but many regret their decision for a variety of reasons. With the unwarranted load shedding, life is more miserable now and security is worrisome.

If we do not pay our bills on time, TNEB cuts our electricity connection. How do we get compensated when TNEB does not provide the basic service for which we pay?

Col. (Retd) A Sridharan, VSM.

Coimbatore.

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