Karnataka - Mysore   

BJP city unit demands White Paper on performance of power sector

Special Correspondent

Opposes KPTCL move to increase power tariff in January

MYSORE: Echoing public resentment against the increase in power tariff, described as inevitable by Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL), the city unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded that the Government bring out a White Paper on the performance of the power sector.

This follows reports that KPTCL is in favour of increasing tariff in January to mop up resources to fund its infrastructure projects as stated by officials of the corporation here during a "meet the press" programme recently.

A. Ramdas, former MLA, has argued that KPTCL should improve its level of efficiency and pointed out that as against the installed capacity of 24 million units of hydel power, the authorities are generating 13 mu a month. The total hydel power that can be generated in the State is to the tune of 2,729 mu, he said.

Referring to the good rainfall this year, Mr. Ramdas pointed out that power-generating companies have accrued a profit of Rs. 500 crores and quoted Minister for Power H.D. Revanna to authenticate his claims.

The city unit wrote to the Minister seeking a White Paper on the performance of the power sector in view of the contradictory statements being aired by him and his officials, Mr. Ramdas said. In this context, Mr. Ramdas referred to the views of KPTCL Managing Director Bharatlal Meena here recently when the latter stated that KPTCL is accruing a loss of 88 paise per unit and it incurred a net loss of Rs. 800 crores this financial year. This is in contradiction to the Minister's claims that KPTCL has registered a profit of Rs. 500 crores and is anticipating a profit of Rs. 721 crores, Mr. Ramdas said.

The BJP leaders wrote to Mr. Revanna and expressed their disenchantment over the contradictory statements being issued by the authorities and accused them of creating confusion in the minds of the people.

The letter drew attention to variation in the amount being quoted by officials and the Minister and expressed concern over the rate of transmission and distribution loss.

"It is shocking to learn that despite spending crores of rupees on improving the transmission and distribution network, transmission and distribution loss remains as high as 30 per cent of the power generated," they said.

Drawing attention to the installation of transformers in six city corporations and 46 towns, the BJP sought to know if energy audit has been conducted.

Taking exception to the proposed increase in tariff, Mr. Ramdas said the proposal is likely to be tabled after the elections to zilla and taluk panchayats in the State. This amounts to betraying the trust of the electorate.

Mr. Ramdas expressed fears that the proposed increase is to meet the fixed charges due to the Tannir Bhavi company and Rs. 90 crores interest on fixed charges that the Government owes to it as per the agreement. "The Government is paying Rs. 1 crore a day without buying any power from the Tannir Bhavi company and is now trying to burden the people of the State to meet its commitment," Mr. Ramdas said.

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