Complaints first, shocks later

The Government will consider public complaints and views prior to imposing the new electricity tariffs which will be almost double the existing rates, Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said. The 30-day response period given to the public to forward their views would come to an end on February 29 and consumers are encouraged to write in with their views on the proposed tariff hike.

The Government would definitely consider the public response before introducing the proposed tariffs, the minister said.“Considering the complaints and views we might decide to grant relief or give affordable concessions to certain groups, but the finalization of tariffs would clearly be decided after studying the reaction of the public,” he said.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would revise the tariffs once Cabinet approval is obtained following a report, which would include public views and complaints, from the Cost of Living Committee. CEB General Manager Ranjith Pulleperuma said that unless the Treasury gave a fuel subsidy for thermal generation, there was no alternative but to charge from the users.

“We have three options. First, control the use of power generation with fuel and the second is to get a fuel subsidy from the Treasury. The third option is to revise the present tariffs," he said. He said power generation costs are more than Rs.119 billion annually while the total revenue was Rs. 96 billion annually and only by increasing the tariff could the additional expense be recovered.

According to the proposed tariff, consumers using more than 600 units have to pay a fixed charge of Rs. 3000. At present they pay a fixed charge of Rs. 240.“We clearly say to these users not to go for CEB electricity but opt for other power generation methods. This tariff revision is indeed a timely one as the CEB cannot run for years incurring heavy losses,” Mr. Pulleperuma said.

Low income groups would be more affected with the Rs. 90 fixed charge and the twenty percent fuel surcharge introduced in the proposed tariff revision. Mr. Pulleperuma said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC)’s decision to discontinue the fuel concession means the CEB has to purchase fuel for a high price.

“We request every household to minimize the use of electricity and by that bring down the charges,” he said.