27 Feb 2024 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Yohan Perera
Electricity Tariff should be reduced by at least by 20 per cent within this year, a top parliamentary committee had informed Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) officials.
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis made this recommendation after making an analytical review of the figures presented by CEB and PUCSL. The committee has also taken into consideration opinions given by the experts in the field of power and energy.
The proposal that has been made by the experts is that power tariffs can be reduced by 33 per cent.
The officials of the PUCSL informed the Committee that they could submit the necessary recommendations on reducing electricity tariffs by the end of the month.
The Committee gave directives to the relevant institutions and officials. This included the identification of micro, small and medium-scale industries that are directly affected by the economic crisis. It was also recommended that the power and energy industry be reviewed so that it can bring in more foreign exchange earnings.
It was also revealed that more than one million electricity connections have been cut due to non-payment of bills. The main reason for the non-payment of bills is the high power tariff.
It was also emphasized that only 50 per cent of the outstanding payments should be charged initially. Accordingly, the committee recommended that lines should be reconnected when half of the due amount is paid. The committee therefore stressed the need for easing the pressure suffered by the industrialists and households.
The Committee also was of the view that customers should be allowed to pay the connection fee in instalments so that industrialists who start up new businesses will not be discouraged.
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