kseb

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The final evidence collection conducted by the Electricity Regulatory Commission as part of the measures to increase the electricity tariff also raised strong public anger. The people pointed out that they were being overburdened to clear the financial liability arising out of KSEB's mismanagement and excessive spending. KSEB's attempt to convince people that this is not the case was drowned in chaos.

The commotion increased as the KSEB employees came forward to control the people. It was the efforts of the regulatory commission staff and the police that helped to continue the evidence collection smoothly.

Regulatory Commission Chairman TK Jose reiterated that the commission will not take a decision blindly believing anyone's words and that the commission is on the side of the people. The evidence collection was completed by 8.30 pm.

Apart from Commission Chairman TK Jose, members B Pradeep and Adv AJ Wilson were also present at the Vellayambalam Grama Panchayat Association Hall. KSEB chairman Biju Prabhakar explained the condition of the board.

People's money for projects; Then why increase the rate?

  1. The public pointed out that the dams are being constructed with money from the public exchequer. KSEB is not spending a single rupee. It was the people who invested Rs 3,000 crore for two lakh solar plants. Yet the rate is being increased frequently.
  2. In other places, 70 paise from the income of one unit is spent on the salaries of the employees. Here it is Rs 1.56. Why are there such high salaries and more employees? Employees were appointed and salaries were paid even for the uninitiated Athirappilly project.
  3. Money should be charged for the electricity used. Robbery is happening under fixed charge. There will be transparency if smart meters are brought in. The smart meter is being opposed to continue the robbery
  4. The rate hike can be avoided if attempts are made to collect dues and complete the projects. Dijo Kappan, appearing for the consumers' forum, pointed out that the Central Electricity Act stipulates that there should be no hike in tariff to make up for operational losses.

No electricity at night, Rs 15,000 crore needed

  1. KSEB said that the crisis is caused by the inability to complete the projects and opposition to new projects. At least Rs 15,000 crore is needed to buy electricity this year. Last year, power was purchased for Rs 12,983 crore.
  2. There is no electricity at night and there is a huge price for the available electricity. Load shedding was required for two days last month due to non-availability of 500 MW of power. In 2016, a unit of electricity could be purchased for Rs 3.88. It has now reached Rs 5.07.
  3. Except for the period 2021-22 when B Ashok was the chairman, KSEB is incurring operational losses. There is a cumulative loss of Rs 6400 crore. On an average, electricity is bought for Rs 4 and sold for Rs 7. Of this, Rs 1 is for repayment of debt, 1.56 for employees' salaries and the rest for office expenses.