SCCI representatives oppose Jamshedpur electricity tariff hike proposal 

Jamshedpur, July 8: Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative advocate Akhilesh Srivastava and Rishabh Ranjan presented their stand before the Jharkhand State Electricyt Regulatory Commission (JSERC) during public hearing on hike in power tariff by TSUISL.

JSERC chairman retired Justice Amitabh Kumar Gupta and two members Atul Kumar and Mahendra Prasad were present at the hearing at Adityapur Auto Cluster.

“Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited is a 100% subsidiary of Tata Steel, buys power from Tata Steel.  Whereas Tata Steel is neither a producer nor transmission and distribution of electricity, then why is this company licensed for years under Section 14 of the Electricity Act?” Srivastava questioned.

He said that the license granted to Tata Steel under Section 14 of the Electricity Act should be canceled with immediate effect! He further said that if Tata Steel itself wants to do transmission and distribution, then the license of Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited should be cancelled. He further said that he has read the annual revenue returns of all the three Tata companies.

“It has been seen that Tata Steel buys electricity from Tata Power at Rs 3.72 per unit and sells it to Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited at Rs 4.82 per unit without providing any service, this is a direct fraud of  Rs 1.10 paise,” he alleged.

“All three companies are Tata group companies, therefore Tata Steel which is in the role of an intermediary should be removed and the annual revenue returns of the remaining two companies should be examined as per the cost accounting record rules and a consolidated cost sheet should be made by removing unnecessary costs only then  correct pricing of electricity will be possible,” he suggested.

“Demand of Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited to increase fixed charges and fuel surcharge is absolutely illegitimate as they do not have the data to justify it,” said Srivastava.

Akhilesh told reporters that openly praising Tata Steel and its associate companies by the members of the commission puts the impartiality of the commission in question.

“Commission was told that Tata Steel could not do electricity and water business in Jamshedpur profitably as per the terms of the so-called lease, but Tata Steel made it a profitable business by forming Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited,” said Srivastava.

“ Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited has illegally appointed builders as its agents in the city for electricity and water supply, who charge exorbitant amounts from consumers and do not even give metered bills. If needed door of the High Court will be approached against this fake public hearing,” said Srivastava.