The Consulate General of the Russian Federation at Napean Sea Road has become the first diplomatic body to object to the BEST's plan to increase power tariffs in 2009-10.
The Consulate General of the Russian Federation at Napean Sea Road has become the first diplomatic body to object to the BEST's plan to increase power tariffs in 2009-10.
At the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's (MERC) public hearing on March 25, the Consulate said
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plea: The Russian consulate wants BEST to reduce power tariff on diplomatic grounds. FILE PIC |
they are already paying up to Rs 9 lakh a month in electricity bills and that the amount may rise to Rs 12 lakh if the proposed hike takes place.
"The tariffs shouldn't be altered else our expenditures will rise substantially. Some consideration should be given to us on diplomatic grounds," said a representative of the consulate general.
Uttam Khobragade, general manager, BEST, said such pleas can't be entertained. "The tariffs are based on the costs we incur. Moreover, it is MERC that decides the tariffs, not us," argued Khobragade.
Consulates are charged commercial rates that apply to shops. A senior BEST official said they may consider charging all consulates the residential rate. "The consulates should reduce consumption if they feel that bills are high," added the official. The consulate general of the Russian Federation could not be contacted.
Proposed power hikeu00a0
>> Rs 9.46 per unit, existing commercial rate (for over 1,000 units of electricity)
>>u00a0Rs 12.97 per unit, proposed commercial rate
>>u00a0Rs 7.27 per unit, existing residential rate (for over 500 units of power)
>>u00a0Rs 10.75 per unit, proposed residential rate
