KERC to hold public hearing tomorrow

Mysuru:  The members of Mysore Industries Association (MIA) have decided to oppose the proposed power tariff revision filed by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) for the year 2019-20.

Addressing a press conference at a private hotel in city this morning, MIA President and former MLA Vasu said that MIA had already filed its written objections to Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and decided to oppose the same at a public hearing organised by KERC at Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Feb.5 at 11 am. KERC Chairman and other officials will be hearing from industrialists tomorrow.

However, he said that MIA will urge KERC to dismiss the CESC appeal to hike the power tariff on industries. He alleged that CESC has been running under loss as it is unable to recover dues from Gram Panchayats, other local bodies, power theft, distribution loss, other lapses, but was unnecessarily burdening the consumers and industrialists because of its mismanagement.

He also alleged that were lot of complaints filed by farmers and public regarding the durability of power transformers installed by CESC.

“The power transformers installed by private agencies work up to 10 years without much complaints, but power transformers installed by CESC receives complaints within two years of installation,” he said.                

The power tariff revision will sound death knell to small scale industries in Mysuru which are already suffering due to erratic power supply and other reasons.  

Vasu condemned Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) for violating its norms by allotting industrial plots to set up educational institutions, cinema theatres, hotels, pubs, bar and restaurants thus violating its norms. Government should ensure the industrial plots be allotted to genuine industrialists, he said.

He also alleged that KIADB was also demanding exorbitant prices for the land it had allotted to various industries in Koorgalli Industrial Area.

“KIADB is demanding Rs 1.5 crore for one acre of land allotment. KIADB had purchased the land from farmers at the rate of Rs.17.5 lakh for one acre of land and developed Koorgalli Industrial Area after promising to provide land to industries at the rate of Rs. 50 lakh per acre. However, MIA will oppose this excess price demand of KIADB land”, Vasu said.