MANGALORE: The three-member Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission will conduct a public hearing on Mangalore Electricity Supply Company's tariff filings for 2006-07 at the Deputy Commissioner's meeting hall here on Monday.

MESCOM has received nearly 11,000 objections from various quarters to its proposal to the commission seeking an increase in power tariff for various categories of users.

S. Sumanth, managing director of MESCOM, said here on Sunday that most of the objections received were similar and that the company had replied to most of them individually as required by the commission. MESCOM had received highest number of objections to its tariff filings in the form of affidavits compared to other four electricity supply companies in the State, he said.

Nature of objections

On the nature of objections, Mr. Sumanth said most of the consumers have questioned the need for tariff filings given the fact that the State received copious rainfall during this monsoon and that most reservoirs across Karnataka were full.

This had ensured availability of cheap hydel power that would effectively reduce their power purchase cost compared to power generated from other sources.

Revision

Mr. Sumanth said he hoped the commission would permit MESCOM to present its case for seeking a revision in tariff once the public hearing formally commenced.

Normally, the commission invited elected representatives to present their views, followed by consumer organisations. The commission would then entertain individual hearings.

The company would be called upon last to present its case, he added.

Revenue from tariffs

The company in its application filed before the commission has stated that its expected revenue earnings from tariffs and miscellaneous charge is Rs. 658.18 crore as against annual requirement of Rs. 915.74 crore, leaving it with a shortfall of Rs. 257.56 crore.

This shortfall will be Rs. 65.52 crore if MESCOM receives Rs. 195.04 crore promised to it by the Government during 2006-07. The revision sought is thus for Rs. 65.52 crore.

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