Mail News Service
Ranchi, June 8: The Jharkhand High Court on 8 June 2020 took cognizance of the burning issue troubling all the industries regarding imposition of fixed electricity charges during the lockdown period. Various representations had been made by leading industrial and trade organizations including Jharkhand Small Industries Association, Adityapur Small Industries Association, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the state government, the Electricity Board and the Regulatory Commission. However, no response was forthcoming from any of the authorities regarding waiver of fixed power charges during the lockdown period.
M/s. Pragati Chemicals (India) of Ranchi had filed a writ petition in the Jharkhand High Court challenging the levy of fixed charges during the lockdown period. The petitioner placed before the High Court circulars of various states that had granted waiver of fixed power charges during the lockdown period. The petitioner also submitted that the electricity tariff provided for remission of fixed charges when the consumer had not availed of power supply due to closure of production forced by the lockdown period. M/s Pragati Chemicals, the petitioner was represented by senior advocate MS Mittal who argued that the human, economic and social devastations that had resulted as a consequence of the pandemic was unprecedented and the situation of nationwide lockdown in which the industries found themselves in had never been imposed on the country before. As a consequence, all industrial activities came to a sudden standstill since the last week of March, 2020 and this being an unprecedented situation, the Board should have themselves granted the desired relief by way of waiver of fixed charges.
The Court has directed the respondents to file their replies. The next date for hearing of the case has been fixed for June 24, 2020.
