Pulling the plug on Mumbai

Interesting to hear RINFRA say that they've been waiting for 10 years for environmental clearance - making it osound like the Govt is 'sitting on their application'.

The fact is that they've been REFUSED permission, on environmental grounds... and rightly so!! Dahanu are the 'lungs' of Mumbai city!

Instead of finding another location, they're 'sulking' that they haven't been granted what they want (they seem to be used to getting their way!)
===============
Pulling the plug on Mumbai
Dharmendra Jore, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, March 31, 2010

It's going to be a long, hot summer. As in the past five years, there will be no respite for Mumbai's 26 lakh suburban power consumers.

The mercury is fast rising and air-conditioners, coolers and fans are already working overtime. Changing lifestyles and the rise in commercial activities will raise the demand further by 23 per cent, nudging it past 3,000 megawatts (MW) a day. However, supply is likely to peak at 2,400 MW - a shortfall of 600 MW.
And you could face long power cuts or higher bills.

Blame it on the poor expansion of generation capacity and a fight between two arch corporate rivals - the Tata Power Company (TPC) and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra).

While the state government made many assurances, it could raise power generation by a mere 1.6 per cent over the past year. That leaves it with little choice but to supply power to Mumbai by depriving other parts of the state, where three- to 10-hour power cuts are the daily norm.

In Mumbai, private companies are the major players. TPC generates power and sells it to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), which supplies the island city, and the Anil Ambani-backed RInfra, which supplies to all of Mumbai's western suburbs and most of the eastern suburbs.

The state-owned power utility plays a direct role only in some eastern suburbs, where it has managed to do away with power cuts altogether. Although this has meant higher bills, customers are satisfied.

BEST too has enough supply; it's only RInfra's customers who face a problem.

RInfra used to buy 500 MW a day from TPC. However, TPC had ambitions of its own in the electricity distribution market. After the Supreme Court allowed it to distribute power to retail consumers (so far it has only directly supplied bulk users like railways) on its own, TPC said it would stop selling to RInfra from April 1 this year.

TPC, which generates 1,900 MW, wants to use the power to supply its own distribution company and sell the remaining power, preferably to the state-owned distributor Mahavitaran. It was encouraged by its first attempt at retailing when many BEST and RInfra consumers switched to it because it offers the best rates.

Alarmed by the prospect of long power cuts and a consumer backlash, the government intervened a week ago. TPC then promised to continue the supply for another month so that the bureaucrats got time to find a solution.

If RInfra is forced to buy power from elsewhere to plug the shortfall, it would have to spend an additional Rs 600-700 crore this summer. This burden is likely to be passed on to consumers.

Both TPC and RInfra officials refused to comment, claiming the government had forbidden them from doing so.

Consumer activist Sandeep Ohri said consumers are the ones who will ultimately suffer. "What we can do is change our supplier. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission can play a major role by encouraging competition. It must allow more private players in the city," he said.

A senior bureaucrat saw a temporary solution in the offing. "The government may ask TPC to continue supply to RInfra until the worst of the summer ends," he said on condition of anonymity because the matter was raised in the Legislature and making statements outside the House would breach protocol.

A senior RInfra official said on condition of anonymity that his company was ready to sign a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 500 MW with TPC. "In 2008, we agreed to sign a PPA without preconditions and discuss long-term options for TPC's Unit 8 [a new unit that came up last year]." TPC officials countered
that it could not be forced to supply power to RInfra.

RInfra said that expansion of its Dahanu thermal plant (which has a capacity of 500 MW) by 1,200 MW would solve Mumbai's problem. But it's stuck in red tape. "We have been waiting for environment clearance for 10 years," said the official.
=======
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/mumbai/Pulling-the-plug-on-Mumbai/Articl\
e1-525255.aspx
=======
2009 HT Media Limited.

Calculate savings of switchover to TATA

After much work, anguish and deliberations, MERC had issued an Interim Order in the matter of switchover to TATA. I am happy to inform you that we have successfully had the first case of a switchover. An existing RINFRA consumer has been duly moved to TATA - using RINFRA's network and TATA's Meter!

Now, before everyone decides to do the same, first check whether it makes economic sense to switch to TATA. To help you, I have prepared a detailed Excel sheet for Single Phase, Residential consumers (LT-I) Tariff showing the exact calculations and savings of moving from RINFRA to TATA.

Here are some of the results of the calculations in the PRESENT scenario.

For 1,500 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 13,391    Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 9,212
Monthly Savings = Rs. 4,179    Annual Savings = Rs. 50,147

For 1,000 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 8,309    Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 5,828
Monthly Savings = Rs. 2,482    Annual Savings = Rs. 29,780

For 800 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 6,277    Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 4,474
Monthly Savings = Rs. 1,803    Annual Savings = Rs. 21,634

For 500 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 3,172    Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 2,387
Monthly Savings = Rs. 784   Annual Savings = Rs. 9,413

For 350 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 1,857   Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 1,490
Monthly Savings = Rs. 368    Annual Savings = Rs. 4,412

For 200 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 879   Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 760
Monthly Savings = Rs. 119    Annual Savings = Rs. 1,427

For 100 units per month:
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 316    Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 307
Monthly Savings = Rs. 9    Annual Savings = Rs. 108

It seems clear from the above, that only those consumers who have a higher monthly consumption would benefit more by switching to TATA from RINFRA.

However, the decision to DO-THE-SWITCH must be an informed, long-term decision and not a short-term knee jerk reaction. The attached file covers the PRESENT scenario as well a few other known possible scenarios that may happen in the next one year. For instance:

a) Due to approvals from earlier MERC and ATE Orders, RINFRA already has an 'uncovered gap' of Rs. 1,079 crores! Suppose they get an approval to charge this in next year's Tariff - what would be the impact?

b) MERC has stayed the RINFRA June 2009 Tariff Order, but suppose the stay order is lifted?

c) RINFRA has gone to High Court and asked for a stay on the limit of Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) of 67 paise. They are asking for 113 paise/unit. Suppose they succeed?

d) In this Interim Order, MERC has allowed RINFRA to collect Wheeling charges, despite our protests that we have already paid for these. In case, it is ruled that we do not have to pay RINFRA Wheeling charges, then the NEW switchover bills will be even more lower.

e) If the consumer uses a TATA meter instead of a RINFRA Meter, it is possible that consumption recording itself is lower!

The attached Excel file also shows how much would be the difference in case the above scenarios start playing out.

Do feel free to circulate this to all concerned and please send me feedback - especially if there are any errors (this is so complicated, even though I've tried my best, there may still be some mistakes!)

This Excel file is also available on the BIJLEE Group in the Files section here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/files/_RINFRA_SWITCHOVER/

I will request MERC to prepare such types of Calculators and host them on their websites.

Trust this has been of help to you :)

Rediff Article

Sometimes you get lucky and people get to know about your struggle.

Rediff put this up

http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/oct/09/slide-show-1-meet-the-man-who-took-on-reliance-energy.htm

Feedback is most welcome :)

My presentation at MERC's Publilc Hearing

Check this out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9E-KdDQ7l0

Its the presentation I made at MERC's Public hearing on Rel Infra's Tariff petition.

Got a copy thru RTI.

Hope this encourages more people to make presentations.

More at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee

Reliance Tariff Hike - Public Response

The response that I will be submitting to Reliance is attached here and here

Go through it so that you may understand the issues we are dealing with. I am not a legal expert and the legal fraternity may excuse my attempt at this :)

Anyway, I have attempted to include all the issues that would affect Residential consumers.

The procedure is thus:

1. Fill in your name, postal address tel/mobile and email ID (before you take prints). Details need to be filled on Page 1, Page 2 and Page 19.

2. Before Thurs, March 19th, make sure one copy is delivered to
Mr. Ramesh Shenoy, Company Secretary
Reliance Infrastructure Limited
Reliance Energy Centre
Santa Cruz (E)
Mumbai 400055

You would need to show proof of service so make 2 copies and get one stamped / acknowledged by their office - or retain Fax/courier slip (in which case you may need to do it at least one day earlier). There is no email provided for Reliance - so that makes it a little more difficult for us! However, I tried sending it to ramesh.shenoy@relianceada.com.

3. Make 6 copies of the submission (actually make 7, you will need one for yourself!) and attach the fax/courier/stamped page on all 6 copies and then send it before Thurs Mar 19th, to
The Secretary
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
13th Floor, Centre No. 1, World Trade Centre
Cuffe Parade
Mumbai 400005
Fax: 2216 3976
email: mercindia@mercindia.org.in

To see what really happens, come for the Public Hearing on Thurs Mar 26th at Rangsharda Natya Mandir, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W). The hearing starts at 11am.

Let's try and ensure we get justice done !

- Sandeep.

Reliance's Proposed Tariff Hike

I have been going through the Reliance Tariff petition and was trying to find out the increase in electricity charges, since Sep 2006 (the past 30 months). I was surprised with the results and decided to prepare a 'calculator' for Reliance customers to realize how much their tariff has gone up in the past 30 months.

I've uploaded the file here on the Bijlee YahooGroup site and you can sign in to access it (scroll down the list to reach the file "Revised_Reliance_Tariff_Calculator.xls).

All you need to do is input your consumption in the yellow box on the first sheet - and the data will appear as to how much you would have paid at various intervals during this time frame. The dates taken are based on the various tariff orders issued by MERC.

I have included the figure of what would happen, if Reliance's current proposal is approved.

Just to give you a few examples:
1. If your consumption is 100 units - in Sep 2006 you would have paid Rs. 205.29, and (if Reliance's proposal is approved) from Apr 2009, you would be paying Rs. 418.76 - a whopping 104% up in 30 months - and average of almost 42% per year (or 3.5% per month)

2. If your consumption is 400 units - in Sep 2006 you would have paid Rs. 1,577.15, and (if Reliance's proposal is approved) from Apr 2009, you would be paying Rs. 2,923.84 - an increase of 85% in 30 months - and average of approx 34% per year (or nearly 2.9% per month).

Just to put this in perspective, the official Inflation Index for India for FY 2006-07 was 519 and for FY 2008-09 it is 582, which means that as per the Govt. the actual inflation has been around 12% (582/519) for this period.

Also, from Sep 2006 till date, central excise duty has come down from 14% to 8% (down 43%), service tax has come down from 12.36% to 10.3% (down 17%), the price of oil (per barrel) has come down from US$ 63.75 to US$ 41.31 (down 35%) - and yet Reliance has petitioned MERC with an increase that will end up in us paying almost 30% MORE.

I wonder if our disposable incomes went up as much !!

The MERC Public Hearing on Reliance's Tariff Petition is scheduled for Thursday, March 26th at Rangsharda, Bandra Reclamation at 11am. I trust at least a few of you would file a public response opposing the hike (I will be filing one - and you would like to do that, please email me and I send you a copy of what I file).

For those who can't wait - send an email to mercindia@mercindia.org.in - not that they take cognizance of emails - but still 1,000 emails can make a BIG difference - considering that there are about 28 Lakh consumers of Reliance... and don't forget to mark me a copy!

Go ahead and try this - and do send me your feedback at sandeep.ohri@ymail.com (bouquets and brickbats - both will be accepted humbly).

- Sandeep


(Disclaimer: I have tried to make this calculator as accurate as possible - but please try and understand that this is really complex and hey.. who said everyone was perfect!)

SC allows Tata Power to retail Power to Mumbai

Get set for (re)entry of Tata Power in the Mumbai Retail sector.

See this..

Increased competition is good news for 25L electricity consumers who are presently 'suffering' under R-ADAG's tyranny.

Now, to clear out a few doubts (no doubt, created by some vested interests):

1. Tata Power does NOT have to apply for a fresh License, as reported in some sections of the Press. It already holds a valid license for supply to the whole of Mumbai. In fact, the interpretation of that very license was the one questioned by REL in the Supreme Court. So the question of a 'fresh public hearing' (which is mandatory before grant of a license) need not be held.

2. Tata Power does not need to file for a fresh 'Tariff Order.' It has already received an approval for its latest Tariff Order as it is already supplying electricity to Mumbai and already HAS some retail consumers. MERC had put a 'stay' on it getting 'new consumers' below 1000 kV, but it was (and is) already serving many consumers in the general retail segment.

3. Tata Power need not set up an entirely new distribution network. The Electricity Act 2003, in its great wisdom, had already forseen this situation and already provides for any distributor using the distribution assets of another (to avoid cost-escalation). The second distributor woulod need to pay the first one a charge for usage, called 'wheeling charges'. Incidentally, MERC has already approved standard wheeling charges as well.

The only delay I foresee is in the logistics of the execution. REL will now give TPC a hard time in freezing these wheeling charges (and also in finalising the modalities of which assets it can 'share').

The other side issue that arises is that of REL's requirement of electricity, now that many of its customers may want to move to TPC.

REL may now, not need so much electricity from outside its Dahanu plant and hence need not buy 'expensive power'. Also, it may not need so much of capital expenditure.

Hence, its chargeable tariff may actually come down !! Right ?

Well, maybe I'm not so smart after all ;)

Is MERC lying .. or is REL Infra lying ?? - Open letter to MERC

06.07.08 (great date!)

To
The Secretary & Members
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
Centre 1, World Trade Centre
Mumbai

Dear Sirs,

Re: Status of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (erstwhile Reliance Energy Ltd) as an Electricity Distributor under the EA 2003

Please refer attached 2 image files:
1. MERC-RTI.jpg
2. REL_July4th_article.jpg

The first one is a reply sent by your organisation stating that Reliance Infrastructure Ltd is not authorised to distribute electricity.

The second one is an advertisement released by the same Reliance company stating (in the first para under 'Background') that 'Reliance Infrastructure is an electricity distribution company with a distribution license to supply electricity in and around the suburbs of Mumbai..'

Now, please tell us (the general public whom you are supposed to serve - and who pay for your salaries from their hard earned money) .. WHO is LYING?

Did your PIO lie to Mr. Ponrathnam (in the RTI reply) or is the Reliance ADAG company lying (in a public advertisement)?

If your PIO is lying - he can be penalised and so can your entire organisation.

If the Reliance ADAG is lying.. what action can you take? In the past there has never been any penal action on the lies that this same Reliance ADAG company has told (please refer the latest Tariff Order - where they have 'admitted' to making numerous mistakes .. and you have done NOTHING!)

Look forward to receiving your response on this issue.

Warm regards,

Sandeep N. Ohri
Coordinator-bijlee
Bombay Small Scale Industries Association
snohri2004@yahoo.co.in
9833097575

Copy to: The Fourth estate and other like-minded people - with a request to ensure fair play to the common tax-payer...

"Name change reflects new business", says REL

Remember I had said that when there is a change in name, the objectives of the company also change? Read here, what the company themselves have to say about their name change.

Go on, MERC, keep saying that a name change makes no difference.. now how are you going to figure out how much of the tariff collected is going towards Mumbai electricity business...

I'm DAMN sure WE suburban residents are paying for ALL their other business ...

Here's an interesting point of view .. if their costs of electricity purchase goes up -- they don't HAVE to raise the tariff, they will just report a slightly lower profit in their quarterly results .. so
WHY the hell doesn't MERC understand this ????

If anyone has the gaul .. please haul these guys up...!!

REL becomes REL INFRA becomes REL POWER ??

OK .. so we all know that Reliance Energy first moved some of its Power Generation projects to Reliance Power (much to the 'disgust' of REL's shareholders).

Then it changed its name from Reliance Energy to Reliance Infrastructure.

Now, it seems (as per this news item from The Hindu) that the 'electricity' business of (erstwhile) Reliance Energy .. has gone to Reliance Power ???

..and all this while our own MERC fiddles a la Nero ...while we burn (the candles...)

REL's name change and what it means to you...

REL applied for a change of name .. to Reliance Infrastructure .. now here's the fun ..

As we all know (via RTI) that the Electricity Distribution License for Mumbai Suburbs belongs
to 'Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply Company Limited' ...

... whose name was changed to 'BSES Limited' and 'Transfer of license' was not even applied for!
... and then the company was taken over by Reliance (undivided) group and again, no Transfer was applied.
... and then the company was 'allocated' to Anil Ambani Group and again, no transfer was applied.
... and then the name was changed to Reliance Energy Ltd and again, no transfer was applied for. In fact this time MERC tells the public that no transfer is required in a name change and tries to convince the people that Companies Act 'overrides' the Electricity Act (when it reality it DOES NOT)
... and now the name is changed to Reliance Infrastructure and do you think they have applied for a Transfer ?? Keep guessing !! More on that later ...

Anyway, the other point is that everytime a name change is effected, there needs to be a major change in the 'Objects' of the company - meaning the new company may now, not really be strictly an 'electricity' company - making it even more difficult for MERC (or anyone else) to figure out the accounts and the profitability of the electricity business .. so how are we going to determine tariff ??

The spineless MERC has still not been able to get REL to submit a separate P&L (and Balance Sheet) for the Mumbai Electricity business .. so consumers will again be taken for a ride.

On one hand REL is declaring one successful Quarter after another .. with upward spiralling profits .. and on the other hand it is trying to tell MERC that it is suffering a loss on account of higher Purchase Cost .. and therefore it needs to RAISE tariff !!

How long are you going to buy this story ??

Chew on it .. as you pay higher bills this summer....

MERC Case NO. 6 of 2008 - Open letter to MERC

29.4.2008

The Secretary,

MERC

Dear Sir,

This is with reference to Petition filed by M/s Reliance Energy Limited in Case No. 6 of 2008 - a hearing for which has been scheduled on 30.4.2008.

We understand that this Petition has invoked section 23 of the EA 2003 which has a great implication on consumers all over Mumbai city (http://www.mercindia.org.in/Events_Notices/Events_APR_08/Evt_H_30_04_08_1100_06_of_2008.pdf)

This matter is also of great public interest, involving scope, jurisdiction and regulatory powers of MERC - eventually resulting in an impact on tariff.

This tariff impact will affect the general public and, as such, all concerned consumers should be given an opportunity to have their say and therefore a public hearing, with due process, should be held. I am therefore, surprised that this is being heard by MERC without involving the general public.

I trust you will call for a formal general public hearing, to keep the interest of the general public in mind - and will look out for a formal announcement to this effect.

Thank you.

Warm regards,

Sandeep N. Ohri
===============================
Tamasoma jyotirgamaya...
From darkness unto light ...

===============================
Sent in the interest of the public good, without prejudice.

My presentation at the REL hearing

I have uploaded the presentation file at the Yahoo Bijlee group site, here.

The file is a 2.8 MB pdf file - so be careful before downloading it.

Those of you who are interested in keeping abreast of such issues, may send
an email to bijlee-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and you will automatically get
such updates.

Response to REL's Petition to MERC

February 11, 2008

The Secretary,
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
13th Floor, Centre No 1, World Trade Center
Cuffe Parade, Mumbai – 400 005
Fax No. : 2216 3976

Dear Sir,

Re: Suggestions / Comments on REL-D's Petition (Case 66 of 2007).

With reference to the above, we have attached our suggestions and comments.
On 13.1.2008, a Public Notice was issued by REL announcing the date of the Public Hearing as 9.2.2008. However, copies of the Petition were not made available to the public, till as late as 24.1.2008.

A news item appeared on 29.1.2008 (see Hindustan Times, Mumbai Ed.) which mentioned that MERC had stated that the all announced Public Hearings were going to be postponed. However, there was no Order available on MERC's website for us to check and verify.

There does seem to be an announcement of a new date for a hearing in the above case, on 14.2.2008. If so, we would like to be heard at the public hearing, even though it has been called for in an illegal manner and the entire conduct of it, goes against the basic tenets of public interest and good governance.

In our opinion, the law on announcement of Public hearings states that a clear three weeks notice must be given. However, no such time has been given – and the conduct of the MERC in this matter has been completely illegal. The MERC has shown scant regard for the existing laws and it has displayed an utter contempt of public/consumer interest.

Since REL has not given any email ID, we are unable to send them a copy. It is suggested that the Hon'ble MERC direct all electricity companies to accept queries by email and publish their email Ids in all public Notices. This practice of physical delivery which inconveniences rhe public MUST stop forthwith. In any case, as per past experience, REL has never provided any satisfactory response and their standard reply is “all the actions are based on directions of the MERC and all details have been submitted to MERC.”

With MERC not being able to rein in such electricity companies, there is no hope for justice to be done.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sandeep N. Ohri
Coordinator-Bijlee
Bombay Small Scale Industries Association
2nd Floor, Madhu Compound, Sonawala Cross Road No. 2,
Goregaon (E), Mumbai – 400065

Mobile: 98 33 09 7575
Email: snohri2004@yahoo.co.in

Read the full submission here : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/message/1331

MERC forced to postpone public hearings

Yup, you read that right !

Today's Hindustan Times (Jan 29, Mumbai ed., page 7) has reported that MERC has postponed the public hearings as the electricity companies had not made available (the printed copies of) their Petition books, to the public, as per dates mentioned in their Public Notices.

In particular REL is a defaulter - the Public Notice was issued on Jan 13th and the books were made available as late as Jan 24th, at some of their offices mentioned in their public notice.

Which means that if MERC has to announce a new date, it has to give another THREE weeks notice - hope they will follow their own laws ;)

Meanwhile, the REL petition has a whole lotta misleading and false data - I think legal action should be taken against them for giving incorrect data under affidavit ...

Watch this space for more ...

Raving and Ranting ...

I'm really angry .. Bear with me on this post ... this is just a general rant!

My "good" friends at the MERC have just no concern for the public - they have announced a slew of public hearings within the next few weeks - for raising electricity tariff.

What really p!sses me off is that these guys are allowed to get away with doing something like this..

They think that the public has enough of expertise and time to do a due diligence on 6 hearings (MahaGenco, MahaTransco, MahaVitaran, Tata, BEST, REL) - which means studying about 3,000 pages of technical documentation .. and then filing one copy with each company and six copies with MERC .. and then appearing at these public hearings ...

What the bloody hell ....

In this age of "consumerism" - the customer is supposed to be God, right?

Crap .. according to MERC, the customer is LAST on their list - though the laws that formed the MERC state that consumer interest has to be protected.

MERC is supposed to be a Regulator of Electricity so that competition is promoted and consumer interest is protected .. and also to ensure fair supply of electricity, etc.

Look at what TRAI has done - and mobile tariffs are continuously going down ..

Now look at what MERC has done .. and electricity tariffs are continuously going up !!

Well, as i said .. this was just a general rant - to let off some steam ... feel better already :)

MERC Public Hearings - Take Action NOW !!!

The consumer-unfriendly MERC has announced a whole series of Public Hearings - just so that you can be charged MORE for electricity, from April 1st.

Your April bills will come in the first week of May and by then it will be "too late" to file any appeal with MERC - 45 day period from date of Order will be over!

It is better to raise your voice NOW.

If you don't know what to do, don't worry - I have made a list of MERC's violations - and illegalities in the conduct of these hearings - and have posted these files at the BIJLEE Yahoo Group site in this message... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/message/1266

Just make the necessary changes (highlighted in BLUE) and courier it to the respective companies as well as to MERC (MERC address is in the document).

Though MERC does not permit email submissions, you can take a chance and also email it to mercindia@mercindia.org.in - and please mark me a copy at snohri2004@yahoo.co.in so that I will be able to take it up with MERC.

The message also has 2 sample pdf files, of my previous submissions, for your reference - so that you can see what a finished output will look like.

Please send these as soon as possible, as the following are the dates:
Jan 21 - MahaTransco (Last date for filing suggestions was Jan 15)
Feb 4 - MahaGenco (Last date... is Jan 29)
Feb 6 - BEST (Last date ... is Feb 1)
Feb 6 - TPC (Last date .. is Jan 30)
Feb 9 - REL (Last date ... is Feb 04)
Feb 18 - Pune - MahaVitaran (Last date .. is Feb 2)
Feb 21 - CBD Belapur - MahaVitaran (Last date .. is Feb 2)

Take action NOW - or pay higher bills later ...

"For evil to flourish, good people have to do nothing .. and evil shall flourish" - Edmund Burke

MERC Public Hearing on Dec 6th - 11 am

If you don't take action now .. you may end up paying higher electricity bills .. again !!

Just a small reminder that there is a Public Hearing on Dec 6th at the YB Chavan Auditorium (Opp. Mantralaya), Mumbai - at 11 am.

This is to hear public suggestions / comments on MSEDCL's petition to increase electricity tariff in lieu of imposing second "staggering" day.

MSEDCL proposes to purchase "costly power" from Kawas/Kayakulam (at around Rs.8-9 per unit) and from Captive Power plants (at around Rs. 11-12 per unit). It proposes to distribute this expensive power through a FRANCHISEE arrangement, to Industries and other consumers
who will be charged higher tariff.

My response (already filed with MERC) is available here on the bijlee Group site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/files

File Name : BSSIA_Public_Response_60_of_2007.pdf

I wonder how many of you (in this group) are affected by the MSEDCL's proposed hike .. and how many have filed a response.

Just goes to show that we are great at e-mailing - but poor when it comes to taking action !

More such stuff if you join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/

I can be reached at snohri2004@yahoo.co.in

Incidentally, MERC has allowed the public to send emails (instead of the cumbersome procedure it had earlier) .. something I had taken up in the MYT tariff hearings ...

Moral of the story: When you keep at it .. your chances of success are greater ...

MERC handing out more goodies to Private Discoms

MERC has not been able to satisfactorily handle (and/or regulate) private distributors in Mumbai, and yet it is going on granting distribution rights to others.

Here is the latest move:
"Crompton Greaves bags 3 power distribution divisions in Nagpur

Mumbai, Sept. 18 Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) will give three divisions in the Nagpur circle to Crompton Greaves Ltd for distribution of power.

Earlier in the year, the loss-making Bhiwandi circle was handed over to Torrent Power for similar purpose.

Aurangabad, Ulhasnagar, Kalwa, Ahmednagar, Dhule, Malegaon and Jalgaon circles could also be soon offered to private companies."

More here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/message/933

Is this for real ??

BMC has asked REL to light up immersion sites all across Mumbai ...and till recently REL was fighting with MERC to not allow Tata to give 800 MW to BEST as they are short of power !!

The article goes on to say ..."Reliance energy have also said that there will be no shortage of electricity in the city, They have sufficient capacity to meet the need of this festival, There are around 7000 odd pandal that lights up from 6pm to 12mid-night. "

Oh Boy !! Someone please file an RTI application quick - to find out from BMC why did they ask REL, when they have their own BEST who can do this !

Also, if REL has actually made this statement ... find out how can REL conclude that there will not be any power shortage .. have they done any study ?? Let's see a copy of that.

The article appears here:
http://theseaguardianlifeguard.blogspot.com/2007/09/reliance-energy-to-put-flood-light.html