MERC stays power tariff hike by Reliance Energy

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Energy Regulatory Commission (MERC) has stayed the power tariff hike by Reliance Energy, State Energy Minister Sunil Tatkare said here on Wednesdasy.

"MERC has asked Reliance Energy to charge customers as per the 2008-09 tariff, instead of the current tariff implemented in June this year," the Minister told reporters here.

MERC has also said it would be inspecting the energy meters installed by the company, Tatkare said. "The inspection would be carried out by national laboratory or a national institution," he said.

MERC would also review the power purchase and capital investment by the company, he said.

The Government would also study the issue of parity in tariff charged by companies supplying power in Mumbai, the Minister said.

"In Mumbai and Delhi alone, more than a company supplies power. We will study the system in place in Delhi," he said.

He declined that the State Government had intervened in the issue due to the agitation launched by the Sena against power tariff hike.

Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray had on July 13 warned that his party would launch a 'no bill payment stir' if the power tariff hike is not cancelled.