Preparations are underway to increase electricity rates in the state once again. The electricity board can proceed with the rate hike only after completing some formalities. Since the Regulatory Commission was established, it has been mandatory for the board to obtain the commission's approval for significant decisions like rate hikes. The commission, in turn, takes into account public feedback and suggestions before making a decision on the board's proposals. Most of the time, hardly anyone participates in such commission meetings. These meetings are often just a formality, and they don't carry much significance beyond that. As a result, the Regulatory Commission usually ends up approving the proposals put forward by the board.

Consumer interests are often compromised in most cases. Kerala is one of the states with the highest electricity rates in the country. Under the guise of electricity shortage, consumers are forced to pay excessive rates throughout the year. The consumers are always the ones who suffer due to the board's mismanagement, corruption, and wasteful spending. The electricity board is now gearing up to exploit the consumers yet again with a proposed tariff increase. As part of this, the board has already submitted an application before the Electricity Regulatory Commission. As per the condition to solicit public opinion before the tariff increase, the commission members have begun collecting feedback and suggestions from the public. Hearings were held in Kozhikode and Palakkad. Unlike usual, a large number of consumers turned up before the commission in both places. The hearings witnessed heated arguments and discussions between consumers and officials.

Strong protests and criticism have emerged against the electricity board for frequently increasing electricity rates, ignoring consumer interests. According to sources, the members of the Regulatory Commission were stunned by this criticism from the public. Public hearings are set to take place in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram as well. The commission will announce its decision only after these hearings. Typically, such public hearings are mere formalities that go unnoticed. However, the growing awareness of rights among consumers should be wholeheartedly encouraged. It's a sign of consumers waking up to the fact that mere protests after the commission and board have made their decisions are pointless and don't lead to any tangible outcomes. The consumer unity seen at the public hearing in Kozhikode needs to be strengthened across the state.

The KSEB has approached the Regulatory Commission with rate hike proposals until 2027. The reasons cited for the rate hike are the same as before. Electricity is being distributed here after purchasing it from outside at a high price. If the rate is not increased accordingly, the board will face losses. The board's hasty decision to cancel long-term contracts that guaranteed electricity at affordable rates backfired, forcing it to purchase power at exorbitant rates now. Despite the passage of time, what steps have the authorities taken to boost production and reduce power theft by strengthening the distribution network? Instead, the board has unfairly placed the burden on consumers and absolved itself of responsibility. It's high time consumers reacted against this. The progress seen in the Regulatory Commission's sitting is a good sign. The commission will not be able to dismiss the organized opposition and protest of consumers so easily.