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Electricity tariff hike: CEB Union urges Govt. not to bypass PUCSL authority
View(s):- PUCSL chief says Govt. which is unable to control egg prices is now trying to control electricity tariff
By Kasun Warakapitiya
Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) called on the Government not to bypass the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) when introducing proposed reforms and tariff increases.
So far they have not been given a proper opportunity to discuss the proposed Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) reforms, said CEBEU Joint Secretary Isuru Kasthurirathne.
Minister Kanchana Wijesekera
“Under the PUCSL Act it is the Commission that has the power to decide on a tariff increase or decrease,” he said.
He said the Power and Energy Ministry was using tariff increases to cover up additional costs as they failed to supply adequate coal stocks to the Lakvijaya Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.
Due to the ongoing hardships of many people, an additional burden through a sudden increase of the electricity tariff could not be justified, he added.
The Ministry was planning to impose the proposed tariff increase in January. However, according to the Electricity Act and the Tariff gazette by the PUCSL, the CEB had to submit the tariff proposal and the relevant data to the PUCSL for its review and for the due procedure to take place, which includes public consultation.
CEB General Manager Rohan Senaviratne said they believed the Cabinet would provide a set of recommendations about the tariff to the PUCSL, so the decision could be made according to the PUCSL Act.
Even though the PUCSL had the power to make decisions on the electricity tariff according to the CEB’s requests, the PUCSL Chairman did not have an overall picture of the economy and the Treasury situation or an idea about industry and community needs, he added.
“That decision should be made by the Cabinet,” Mr. Senaviratne said.
He claimed the proposal would be submitted during the next Cabinet meeting.
PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said there was no procedure to bypass the PUCSL and make tariff changes according to the PUCSL Act.
“We will wait and take the necessary steps according to the actions that will be taken. A government which is unable to control the prices of eggs is now trying to control something more complex, which is the electricity tariff,” he said.
Energy and Power Ministry Secretary M.P.D.U.K Mapa Pathirana declined to comment on the proposed tariff changes citing the Official Secrecy Act.
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