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A Village Burnt Overnight: Tears, Loss and Survival in Dhamangaon Blaze

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  Sitting amid the blackened remains of his home, 32-year-old Nikesh Gawali carefully broke open a half-melted plastic box with a screwdriver. His hands shook slightly, not out of fear, but out of hope. “I’m trying to find my daughter Aarti’s gold earrings,” he said quietly, still focused on the box. “She’s just five. I got them made recently after months of labour work.” The plastic box, warped and blackened by heat, was one of the few things left from his two-room house on the outskirts of Dhamangaon village . All around him lay ash, broken tin sheets and charred wooden beams. The walls had cracked under the heat and the front room’s tin roof had caved in completely. What remained was a blackened debris all around - almost nothing to suggest a home once stood there. Nikesh earns his living as an agricultural labourer, like many in the village. Work is uncertain and depends on the season. Those earrings weren’t just jewellery - they were a small dream, a reward for his hard work,...
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MSEDCL proposes lower tariff for industries

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  • However, there is mild power shock for domestic consumers 

By Dheeraj Fartode
Call it a mild shock due to commitment of new Government to bring down power tariff in state, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has proposed 25% hike in Fixed/demand charges of domestic users and 16% hike for fixed/demand charges for industrial users. This is different from total tariff hike and its overall impact will not be very significant. In the Mulit Year Tariff filed by MSEDCL, the utility has maintained line of state governemnt and proposed to reduce power tarriff for industries by 5% and also maintained same rates of power for agriculture sector. 
The MSEDCL filed a Petition for Multi Year Tariff for Financial Year (FY) 2013-14 to 2015-16, before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) under the Electricity Act, 2003. The Commission has admitted the Petition on February 13, and directed MSEDCL to publish a Public Notice under Section 64(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003 for inviting suggestions and objections from the public through this Notice.
MERC will conduct hearing on the issue across the state fromMarch 18 to April 10. As per the public notice, the Power company has demanded steady 25% increase fixed/demand charges. It means, the consumer who was paying Rs 40 as fixed demand charges/per month for 0-75 units per months, will have to pay Rs 50/per month. 

As per the proposed, domestic users will have to pay Rs 4.16 per unit for usage of 0-75 units; Rs 5.55 per unit for 76-125 units; Rs 5.75 for usage of 0-125 units; Rs 7.10 per unit for usage of 126-300 units and Rs 9.50, Rs 9.75 and 10.75 per units for consumption of above 300 units, 501-1000 units and above 1,000 units respectively per month. 

The MSEDCL has maintained its policy of relief towards BPL consumers with usage of 0-30 units per months and unchanged the tariff rate i.e. Rs 1 per unit with Rs 10 fixed demand charges. 

Non-express feeder HT consumers to pay more 

The MSEDCL have reduced power tariff by -5% for High Tension-I. As per the information, industries with connection of Express feeders will have to pay Rs 8.16 per unit instead of earlier, Rs 8.59 per unit.  
The power company have proposed 4% hike in power tariff for non-express feeders. Earlier, the company which was required to pay Rs 7.82 per unit charge will now have to shell out Rs 9.55 per unit, if MERC approves the hike.
With ample power generation capacity, the MSEDCL has decided to narrow down the gap between Express and non-express feeders. A senior official informed that there will be uniform tariff for Express and Non-Express feeder users. If MERC give its nod then all industries and commercial users will get power supply from Express feeders. 
The company has also proposed 3% decrease in power tariff for commercial users and 16% increase in fixed/demand charges. As per the information, MSEDCL has decided Rs 12.40 per unit for express and non-express feeders. 

No power hike for agriculture sector 

The company has not proposed any power hike for agriculture sector. If the rates are not changed then fixed demand charges will be Rs 30 with power tariff of Rs 3.51 per unit. 


Power shock to public service

This can be surprising for public service sector as the company has proposed 16% hike in fixed/demand charges and 4-11% hike in power tariff. Public service consumers with Express feeders will have to pay Rs 220 fixed/demand charges which is Rs 30 more than earlier Rs 190 and Rs 10.50 per unit power tariff which was Rs 10.12 earlier.

MERC’s hearing in Nagpur on March 27

MERC will conduct hearing on the issue at Vanamati Hall, VIP Road, Dharampeth on March 27 at 11 am. 
The Commission has directed MSEDCL to invite suggestions and objections from the public on the above Petition. Suggestions and objections may be sent to the Secretary, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission, 13th Floor, Centre No.1, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai-400005 [Fax: 22163976 E-Mail:mercindia@merc.gov.in] by March 10, 2015, along with proof of service on the Superintending Engineer (TRC), MSEDCL. 


MSEDCL’s summary of the proposed tariff philosophy 

  • Rationalisation of the fixed charge for ensuring recovery of fixed cost. 
  • Merger of Continuous and Non Continuous sub Category – Uniform tariff for Express and Non-Express feeders. 
  • Introduction of New Tariff slabs for Domestic Category of Consumers for realigning the consumption keeping in view the paying capacity and monthly electricity requirement. 
  • Energy charge for consumers of LT V – Industrial above 20 kW (above 27 HP) category to be brought down to the level of energy charge of HT Industrial Category. 
  • Rationalize the Tariffs for Street Lighting for Gram Panchayat A, B & C Class Municipal Councils. 
  • ToD Rebate for Night Consumption to be rationalized by reducing ToD rebate to Rs. 1.50 per Unit for night consumption. 
  • Power Factor incentive is proposed to revise to 5% for Unity PF. 
  • Removal of HT Bulk Supply Category and Creation of new HT Residential Category for consumers availing power supply on High Tension for residential purpose. 
  • New consumer category for Government Owned/Managed Educational Institutions and Hospitals has been proposed 
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