Public hearing conducts on Discom’s petition for new electricity rates

Panchkula-based Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission filed a petition on Thursday regarding the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for the upcoming financial year 2024-25 by Haryana’s power distribution companies – Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN). The public hearing was held in the courtroom of HERC. UHBVN and DHBVN officials presented their side in front of HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma, both members Naresh Sardana and Mukesh Garg, and MD Dr. Saket Kumar, who attended on behalf of UHBVN.

It is noteworthy that every year in the month of November, the electricity corporations have to file their complete accounts of the previous year and the proposed financial requirement for the upcoming financial year in the HERC in the form of a petition regarding the electricity rates for the new financial year. HERC records the arguments of the public and the discoms on these petitions and then issues a detailed ARR order before the new financial year, i.e., in the month of April, which the corporations have to implement.

At the same time, in these petitions, while UHBVN and DHBVN have presented their complete financial accounts for 2023-24, the Discoms have demanded the financial budget for 2024-25, complete details of which have been given. In 2023-24, UHBVN and DHBVN have shown that they needed Rs 42,412 crore 30 lakh for the entire year, and both these corporations received revenue of Rs 40,069 crore 74 lakh this year. For the new financial year 2024-25, these corporations have demanded Rs 41,410 crore 34 lakh and have shown that revenue of Rs 39,781 crore 52 lakh will be received. The subsidy received from the government is Rs 5769 crore 94 lakh, which is also shown in revenue receipts.

During the public hearing, HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma said that it is necessary for the Discoms to conduct a technical audit of their technical infrastructure from time to time so that shortcomings can be removed, and excellent infrastructure and quality electricity supply can be provided to the electricity consumers. Additionally, submit a fresh presentation clearly mentioning each subject point so that each point can be clearly mentioned in the ARR Order.

HERC member Naresh Sardana, while answering the questions raised by electricity consumers regarding electric charging stations, replied that HERC has notified regulations in this regard. In response to what efforts will be made to reduce financial losses, UHBVN MD Dr. Saket Kumar said that power purchase cost will be reduced, Aggregate and Transmission Commercial (AT&C) losses will be reduced, as well as cost-cutting. In this case, cognizance will definitely be taken. Member Naresh Sardana asked how much electricity was transferred through banking, and on this, Dr. Saket Kumar said that electricity has been arranged from the states of Uttarakhand and Telangana through the banking system. On this occasion, senior officials of UHBVN and DHBVN, HERC Director (Tariff) Sanjay Verma, Director (Technical) Virendra Singh, and senior officials of HERC were present.