Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, April 4: A public hearing was convened at Golmuri Club in Jamshedpur by the Electricity Regulatory Commission to address the proposed increase in electricity rates by Tata Power. Despite the significance of the issue, the turnout was notably low due to insufficient publicity and the distant location of the venue.
Representatives from Tata Power elucidated the rationale behind the proposed tariff hike, citing escalating expenses incurred from production to maintenance. Additionally, discussions centered on True-up for 2022-2023 and the Annual Performance Review application for 2023-2024. VP Singh, GM of Tata Steel UICL, offered recommendations concerning power distribution during the hearing.
However, members of the public voiced their dissent regarding the proposed tariff increase. Human rights activist Jawaharlal Sharma emphasized the need to promote solar energy and cautioned against escalating electricity rates. He underscored the disparity between the purported necessity for tariff hikes and the company’s profitability.
Social activist and documentary filmmaker Saurabh Vishnu highlighted the plight of contract workers at Tata Power Plant and the adverse environmental impacts of its operations. He urged transparency regarding the company’s spending on corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and questioned the basis for previous decisions favoring tariff increases.
Senior journalist Anni Amrita underscored the health implications of Tata Power’s operations on the local populace and argued against benchmarking electricity rates against other cities. She advocated for relief measures for the residents of Jamshedpur and critiqued the lack of public awareness and participation in the hearing process.
Despite the concerns raised by the public, the Electricity Regulatory Commission remained noncommittal regarding the proposed tariff hike. However, they acknowledged the commendable suggestion from Jawaharlal Sharma regarding solar energy initiatives.
