Electricity bills based on ‘time of day’ will cripple Goa, we will oppose move: GCCI

Panaji: The rationalisation of electricity tariff structures with the introduction of the ‘time of day’ (TOD) billing will lead to steep penalties and cripple tourism in the state, said Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) on Thursday. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has moved to rationalise electricity rates, which GCCI said it will “strongly oppose”. The JERC has also proposed to fix the TOD tariff during peak hours at 120% to 140% of the normal tariff structure.
“Goa is predominantly a tourism-dependent state and is a favourite tourist destination. A lot of activities are required to be held during peak hours and cannot be shifted to normal or off-peak hours,” said GCCI director general Sanjay Amonkar. “Such a steep penalty will cripple tourism,” he said. GCCI has recommended that the maximum electricity fee that can be charged during peak hours be limited to 120%, and for off-peak hours, the charges be 80% of the normal tariff.
The chamber has also pointed out in a letter to the JERC and state govt that tourism encompasses a variety of activities, and the scale and type of activity vary from state to state and even within the state, with homestays and villas sharing space with larger resorts. Efforts to rationalise the tariff structure may “appear to be a welcome move on the surface but a deeper look and analysis” could show potential havoc for cottage industries like bakeries as well as larger industrial units, GCCI said. “Bunching of too many activities into one category will be unfair to certain consumers. Equating multistoried commercial units with educational institutions, or equating the tariff for crematoriums with cinema halls seems unfair,” Amonkar said.
If the JERC goes ahead with its reform, the extra burden on bakers could increase the price of poie from Rs 5 to Rs 50 per piece, said GCCI. The chamber has strongly recommended that govt have a say in fixing of power prices so that the state can tweak rates based on the “pulse of the population” and needs of industry.