GUWAHATI, May 6 � The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) made it clear today that it is trying its level best to avoid imminent tariff hike by exploring all possible options in consultation with the State Government in view of the retrospective revision of power tariff by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
Moreover, it has said in a statement that it cannot go for enhancing the power tariff by Rs 1.78 per unit in one go.
On its writ petition filed before the Gauhati High Court, it has stated that it had filed writ petition before the Court challenging some clauses of the tariff regulations notified by the CERC. These clauses help in giving retrospective effect to the tariff order. These clauses were challenged on the ground that they affect the present consumers of electricity and leads to tariff shock. But, the High Court, in its order on May 2, had not admitted the writ petition.
It has further said that it had filed review appeal before the CERC too on the matter as per Commission�s tariff regulations.
It may be mentioned here that non-payment of the arrear amounts shall attract disconnection of power supply from the power suppliers as per the provision of the above regulations, says the APDCL.
On the issue of effecting hike in power tariff according to the Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPPA) Regulation of the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC), it has stated that the regulation has provided for adjusting the charge up to Rs 0.90 only being 25 per cent of the present tariff energy charges. The APDCL statement is signed by its DGM (COM) M K Adhikary.
