ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

As a KSEB Consumer, HT &EHT consumers had been experiencing several problems from KSEB – technical, non-technical and procedural for which solutions have not been easier many times.  These problems and issues had to be addressed properly and all-out efforts had to be made, sometimes collectively, to get satisfactory solutions wherever possible. The Kerala High Tension and Extra High Tension Industrial Consumers’ Association was thus formed in 31-12-1986.

Until the Electricity Act 2003 came into force, KSEB was increasing the Electricity Tariff and making Rules for Consumers at their will and pleasure.  The only option left to the Consumers for redressing their grievance at that time was to represent the matter to the officials of KSEB, Government, or the State Ministers. Often, our efforts did not yield the desired results.

The Electricity Act 2003 has changed all these.  An Electricity Regulatory Commission has been constituted for Kerala.  Any change in Tariff, Introduction of Power Cut, Load restrictions, Supply Code etc. can now be made only with the specific permission of the State Regulatory Commission, after a Public Hearing with all Stakeholders.

The Kerala HT & EHT Industrial Electricity Consumers’ Association, which represent all EHT consumers and most of the large HT consumers in Kerala, takes the lead in studying and assessing the impact of various issues in detail.  They discuss these matters with the Commission, countering every item detrimental to the Industry.  This has been going on from 2003 onwards.  A few of the major achievements are given below:-

• The Association has been filing ‘Objections’ to ARR & ERC petitions (approval for Income & Expenditure) and Truing up petitions of KSEBL from 2003 onwards. As a result, KSEB could not increase the Tariff for 10 years from 2003 onwards, till 2012.
• KSEB was made to agree to pay interest at Bank rate for the Security Deposit remitted by Consumer.
• KSEB agreed to pay incentive for Power Factor above 90%.
• Contract Demand and Connected Load were properly defined.
• KSEB has been trying to reduce the interval from 30 Min to 15 Min for computing Maximum Demand.  The Association raised strong and collective objection to this and finally the Commission rejected this proposal of KSEB.
• Prompt Payment Incentive introduced.
• TOD Tariff re-worked with improved benefits to consumers.
• Differential Tariff for Power Incentive Category were discontinued.
• Penal interest for delayed payment is limited to number of days for which payment was delayed.
• The Association has been conducting cases for its members on issues related to Electricity Tariff, Tariff Regulation, Refund of Service Connection charges illegally collected by KSEB, Pre 92 Tariff concession etc. A few of the cases are listed below.
  • Writ Petition No.247 on Tariff Order 2014-15
  • Impleading in WP (C) No.465 of 2015 filed by KSEBL in the High Court of Kerala against KSERC (Terms & Conditions for determination of Tariff) Regulation 2014
  • Writ Petition No.21559 ARR & ERC of 2012-13 and Truing up of Accounts2010-11
  • Writ Petition 1648 – High Court Judgement on Pre-92 Tariff Case.
• The Association organised several programs related to Energy Conservation, Open Access etc for the benefit of the members.
• The latest achievement of the Association was spoiling the sinister design of KSEBL to deny Open Access for HT & EHT consumers. The Association swiftly moved Writ Petition in the High Court of Kerala. The High Court directed State Regulatory Commission to take a decision in a week’s time. The Commission, after a hearing, allowed HT & EHT consumers to continue to draw power through Open Access.