RWAs demand abolition of regulatory charge on power for Noida

Noida: Resident welfare associations today demanded abolition of regulatory charges in electricity bills and reduction of power tariff in Noida. The demand was made during a meeting of the Confederation of NCR Resident Welfare Associations (CONRWA) held here. "Regulatory charge has been taken from consumers since June 2013. This is unjustified. It is only charged in Uttar Pradesh, said P S Jain, CONRWA representative. "Electricity Regulatory Commission has been set up in the state as per the Electricity Act 2000. There is no provision of charging regulator fee under Electricity Regulatory Commission Act," Jain said. "Further it was demanded that power tariff in Noida should be reduced as there is minimum line loss. On area basis, power consumers here should pay less tariff for their consumption. In Maharashtra and Delhi, power tariff is decided on this pattern," said Jain. "Further power distribution companies are charging fixed charge on more than the load capacity installed by them. Fixed charge system should be abolished. Other than power tariff there should be no other hidden charges," Jain said. Company should include the hidden and other charges while calculating the power tariff rate. "Company has hired unqualified linemen on contractual basis. These linemen charge `shuvidha shulk` (convenience charge) from consumers. We have demanded that company should end contractual system and pay proper salaries to linemen so that they do not take bribe," said Jain.