GUWAHATI, May 29 � The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) has no moral right to seek enhancement of power tariff, as it has failed to deliver as per its avowed commitment to the people, alleged the Mahanagar Unnayan Samiti. The Samiti filed an objection before the Assam Electricity Regulatory Authority (AERC) in connection with the hike in power tariff sought by the power company, in association with the Pachim Guwahati Nagarik Sajagata Mancha.
Unnayan Samiti president Subodh Sarma said in a statement here that the APDCL is not sincere enough to supply uninterrupted quality power to the common consumers, which has become evident from the analysis of the account of the power company for the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-2011.
Against an AERC approved quantity of 5253.36 mu of energy earmarked for ultimate distribution to the consumers the power company could buy only 4989.76 mu of power, thus making load shedding inevitable in the State.
The Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd (APGCL) could deliver only 1693.69 mu of energy and the balance was procured from the Central Sector and the energy market.
The cost of such power procured by the APDCL exceeded the AERC, approved cost. It was 33 per cent higher for the power generated by the Central Sector power companies, 32 per cent higher for the private sector DLF and 50.6 per cent for the power supplied by the traders.
Neither the APDCL, nor the AERC did object to such high prices fixed by the generating companies in the proper forum, thus shifting the big load of this excess amount to the shoulders of the hapless consumers, argued Sarma.
Again, in 2010-11, the APDCL bought 639 mu more energy than what was approved by the AERC. But a quantity of 553 mu of this excess energy was not supplied to the consumers of the power company, and exported to outside the State resulting in load-shedding in the State.
Furnishing some examples of such trades and the resultant misery of the people, Sarma said that on March 21, 2013, when load shedding was there even in Guwahati with a total shortfall of 345 MW at 8 am and 352 MW at 8 pm, the power brought to the region was less than the schedule. But at 8 pm of the same day, 26 MW of power was exported outside the NE region.
Again, on May 16, 2013, there was no load-shedding in Guwahati, but there was a shortfall of 100 MW at 8 am and 198 MW at 8 pm, which necessitated load-shedding in other parts of the State. But, 102 MW was traded out to outside the State at 8 am. And at 8 pm, there was shortfall of 198 MW. However, at 7 pm that day 324 MW of power was exported to outside the region, alleged Sarma.
Though the common consumers are made to bear the brunt of the power shortage, some privileged people are supplied uninterrupted power by the APDCL. These people include the VVIPs and VIPs. They are supplied unmetered power, Sarma said, alleging that this is contrary to the provisions of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.
