Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 04:
Acting on a public Interest Litigation alleging �excessive collection� of power tariff from the public, a division bench of the Gauhati High Court today issued notices to State respondents.
Justice MBK Singh and Justice TNK Singh, in their Imphal bench sitting issued the notices following the PIL filed by advocate H Badankumar.
Advocate Kh Chonjohn, who is also the former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission, appearing on behalf of the petitioner cited the PIL contending before the Court to quash the existing power tariff fixed by the Government, which the petitioner argues is excessive and illegal.
Elaborating on the power department�s category of three rates calculated on watts inputs, he said from 0 to 500 watts the Department levies Rs 124.80p, with Rs 189.80 charged for consumption of 0 to 2000 watts while for watts between 0 to 4000 the amount reaches Rs 405.Inspite of the fixed rates, the Dept is in the practice of collecting power tariff applicable to the middle category (0-2000 watts) even if the public�s power consumption is below 500 watts, the petitioner�s counsel pointed out.
The tariff should be counted from 501 watts to 200 and from 2001 to 4000 so that public pays the specific amount for the specified utilisation of power, he maintained.