All Assam Electricity Consumers Association Opposes ToD Tariff

Staff reporter

Guwahati: All Assam Electricity Consumers Association strongly opposes introduction of Time of Day (ToD) tariff for Domestic Category consumers in any format by Assam Power Distribution Company limited (APDCL). Talking to the media, advisor of the association Bimal Das said, “In the tariff Proposal for FY 2025-26, APDCL proposes ToD tariff applicable to all consumers with connected load exceeding 10kw and where Smart Meters have been installed. We strongly oppose introduction of ToD tariff for Domestic Category consumers in any format. Till now throughout the country there is no ToD tariff for Domestic Category in any State of the country. We believe that ToD tariff place an undue burden on consumers and fail to address core issues of energy affordability.”

“In the tariff proposal APDCL made it clear to continue with the prevalent tariff structure for the FY 2025-26 without any hike for all category of consumers. But in the proposed tariff schedule for Domestic B Category for 1, all consumption and for 2 Night, Solar and peak hour consumption a new set of tariff has been pitched which has neither any basis nor anything in support of the proposed slab. The peak time starting from 17.00 hrs when all Domestic consumers normally uses electricity for every purpose are going to be worst hit because of highest rate. Further the tariff proposed for all consumption for Domestic B category @ Rs.8.74/ kWh has no basis in the absence of proper material in support of the same. It cannot be a simple arithmetic without taking into account the actual impact on consumers at different time period”, said Das.

State convenor of the association, Ajoy Acharjee said, “On one hand APDCL is making submission for continuation of prevalent tariff without any hike and on other hand submitting a different tariff structure in the name of ToD is nothing but tariff hike in the back door. Therefore, we demand immediate withdrawal of ToD tariff proposal. APDCL has shown a gap of Rs. 440 crore during True - up of ARR for FY 2023-24 along with the carrying cost in the tariff for FY 2025-26. The total revenue gap along with the carrying cost is shown as Rs 543.33 crore and accordingly prays before AERC to allow the revenue gap of Rs 543.33 crore. The APDCL has stated in their True- up petition that the petition submitted is based on Audited statement of accounts. But the statement of profit and loss for the year ended on 31st March, 2024 reveals a sum of Rs 375.04 cr. as profit. The statement of account regarding total income and total expenses recorded in the audited account of APDCL for FY 2023-24 is final. And cannot be different to that if true- up petition.”

Acharjee further said, “The veiled attempt of APDCL with statistical jugglery to camouflage the profit into a revenue gap is highly objectionable. We demand to pass on the benefits of profit of APDCL to the gullible consumers who are already subjected to one of the very high tariff in the country, particularly in the Domestic category. The recent reported news that for an overseas training on Capacity Building private assistant of high official and accounts personnel were sent to European countries leaving aside dedicated engineers engaged in distribution network in the field. It is also in the public domain that these two employees were fortunate enough to undergo training at Goa and Ladakh earlier also depriving deserving engineers. If important trainings are converted into pleasure trip it simply demoralizes the dedicated section of the engineers. We take this opportunity to highlight only the tip of iceberg which is ailing APDCL.”

Also Read: Concern over frequent incidents of deaths due to electrocution: All Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association (AAECA)

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