'Tangedco slow to change tariff from higher to lower slab'

CHENNAI: A Coimbatore-based consumer organisation accused the Tangedco of working at a snail’s pace to change the tariff from higher to lower – even though its duty bound to do so but it works at lightning speed to change the tariff from lower to higher slabs.

In a letter to Tangedco’s CMD on September 16, Coimbatore Consumer Cause Secretary K Kathirmathiyon wrote that tariff changes were implemented immediately for the common services from lower to higher category under the domestic tariff (Rs 8 per unit and fixed charge of Rs 100 per kW per month).

“But based on TNERC Tariff order 2017, already most of the common services like water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, fire hydrant facility, swimming pool (except water supply, lighting and lift) in group houses were changed to commercial tariff and remain so. Unfortunately, Tangedco has not changed the tariff for common services from Tariff V (Commercial) to LT 1-D, even though TNERC order is applicable for these facilities too,” he explained.

Pointing out that for years, traffic signals and public parks were charged under commercial tariff since it was not classified under any other categories, he added, “Now in the latest tariff order, traffic signals, public parks and local bodies are brought under LT tariff 2-A as public lighting (Rs 100 per kW and Rs 8 per unit). But the tariff change was not made by the department till date.”

Kathirmathiyon urged the department to change the tariff to 2A for these public utility services soon. “If any traffic signal power is provided for advertisement, it could continue to be charged under commercial tariff,” he stated.