Minister hints Torrent power tariff hike soon, blames centre for it

Gujarat Minister of state for Civil Aviation, (Independent Charge) Industries, Mines, Minerals, Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals Shri Saurabh Patel today hinted a tarrif hike in electricity bills of Torrent power customers in Gujarat. Patel blamed central government for such situation. Torrent power supply electricity to the people of Ahmedabad and Surat.

Speaking at a function organized by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry(GCCI), the minister said, “You have not received latest electricity bill yet, but you will come to know in some days about it. The central government has announced price hike in coal prices on 27 February this year. While ‘a’ grade coal price has been hiked to Rs. 4110 from earlier rate of Rs. 1610, the price of ‘b’ grade coal has been hiked to Rs. 4000 from 1500.”

“Have you heard such a price hike?” Saurabh asked the traders,businessmen and entrepreneurs gathered at GCCI function, adding that, “in entire history no such rise has been noticed in coal sector.”

Patel further said, “Torrent power purchases ‘a’ and ‘b’ grade coal and due to recent price hike the company is facing Rs. 350 crore added burden.”

Patel in complain tone said that the central government has now proposed auction of call mines. “Coal is very important fuel. Those wanting to have extra coal are denied supply and are compelled to export it.”

The minister also expressed pain about the fact that for many years the state of Gujarat has been telling central government that it is ready to supply power to entire country, but the central govt refuses to accept the offer and says there’s no corridor available to do this. On one side, the Prime Minister worries about power halt of five-seven hours in cities, but on the other side we have to shut down power plants in Gujarat due to lacking of transmission gap.