CHANDIGARH: With the HERC, the electricity regulator. asking the Haryana government to deposit the amount of subsidy on electricity to distribution companies or to make adequate arrangements for financial back, now announcements on supply for agriculture may not be that easy.
While finalizing the annual revenue requirements (ARR) for both distribution companies ie Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), the regulator has also directed the two discoms to ensure to bring to line losses of agriculture supply to 14%.
Importantly, the HERC has categorically asked the discoms to decode the data of agriculture supply in general and metered and non metered agriculture and tubewel connections in particular within the next two months.
Notably, the concentrated efforts by HERC on bringing down AT&C losses and other sources has resulted into decrease in subsidy money on agriculture sale of power from Rs 6,393.47 crore of the year 2021-22 to Rs 6,050.68 crore after deducting a revenue of Rs 110 crore projected to be collected from farmers from the rate of 10 paisa per unit as carrying charges.
“If the efforts made by the regulatory authority can bear fruit, then what stops distribution companies in making effort in bringing down losses. Ultimately it will unburden them from debt or other liabilities,’’ said an HERC official.
So far as the role of state government in subsidy is concerned, this clearly mentioned in the Section 65 of the Haryana Electricity Act where it is categorically defined about the state;s liability of payment of subsidy or making of subsequent arrangement, the official added.
According to information, there are total 6,61,760 agriculture consumers who have been provided power from 4,591 feeders by the UHBVN and DHBVN. UHBVN has total 3,30,280 consumers while DHBVN has 3,31,480 consumers.
In their ARR applications, the two distribution companies had categorised the connections according to lines losses as well. But, the applications did not contain the details of metered and non metered connections.
