Dear Madam,

We write to you as citizens and electricity consumers of the state, to convey our opposition to the fresh round of power tariff hike that has been imposed by the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC). The decision to hike tariffs for the CESC and WBSEDCL in 2014-15, i.e. the last financial year, was announced by the WBERC in March 2015. Since then the enhanced tariff, alongside the arrears for the last year, is being charged, imposing fresh burdens on the consumers.

We note with deep concern that the WBERC has become an ineffective regulatory body, which has turned into a rubber stamp of the power distribution companies. Two of the three posts of full time members of the WBERC, including that of the chairperson, are lying vacant. A single member of the WBERC has signed the tariff order effecting sharp increases in tariff rates. How can a regulatory body, whose chairperson is absent, take such decisions?

The WBERC has failed to conduct a proper performance evaluation of the CESC and WBSEDCL before approving the power tariff hike. The electricity regulators in other states have consumer representatives in their panel and also conduct public hearings in multiple locations before determining tariffs. The consumers in West Bengal, however, have been shut out of the decision-making process.  

You may be aware that domestic consumers in West Bengal are paying the highest power tariff in the entire country. The CESC, which enjoys absolute monopoly in power distribution in Kolkata, Howrah and adjoining areas, is making enormous profit year after year, by hiking power tariffs under different pretext. The monopoly power exercised by the power distribution companies coupled with the total failure of the WBERC in protecting the interests of the consumers have led to this unacceptable situation.

We also note with concern that progress in the generation of solar power and other renewable sources has got stalled in the state. We are failing to reduce our over-dependence on coal-based thermal power.

We strongly feel that as the Chief Minister of the state, you should immediately intervene and order a review of the latest tariff orders issued by the WBERC. We urge upon you to consider the following steps in the interests of the electricity consumers of the state:

• Withdrawal of the latest hike in power tariff
• Re-initiation of the process of Tariff Determination by WBERC and Reduction of Power Tariffs in Kolkata and West Bengal
• Restructuring of the WBERC and making the participation of consumer representatives and public hearings mandatory in decisions on tariff revisions
• Breaking the monopoly of the CESC in power distribution to Kolkata, Howrah and adjoining areas
• Making pro-people amendments to the Electricity Act 2003 to strengthen the ERCs, make them transparent and accountable; Withdrawal of the anti-people Electricity Amendment Bill 2014
• Enhance solar power generation and promote other renewable energy sources in West Bengal