Power tariffs rising faster than inflation: APTEL

KOLKATA: Coal production needs to be stepped up to check the rise in power tariffs, which are 'rising faster than inflation', an APTEL technical member said today.

"Power tariff is rising faster than inflation," technical member, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Rakesh Nath said at the inauguration of the eastern region's Appellate Tribunal for Electricity here.

Attributing the rise in power tariffs to sharp rise in fuel prices, he said there is a need to increase coal production to check rising power tariffs.

Damodar Valley Corporation chairman R N Sen also said the situation of the power sector was very grave due to coal quantity and quality related issues and the power market is very dull.

He said unless coal prices ease, it would be difficult to reverse the situation.

The government could also offer coal blocks to the public sector to bring down the cost, Sen added.