The Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association had made the plea on Friday during an interactive meet on pre-paid meters.
Technical member of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission S D Ukkali said the system of pre-paid meters will benefit consumers as well as suppliers. The KASSIA’s demand can’t be met as the issue was embroiled in legal dispute and also, the installation cost of pre-paid meters was very high.
He appealed to the KASSIA to give a representation to the Government to take a re-look on the issue. Former KASSIA president M G Prabhakar regretted that it costs Rs 2 lakh to set up a small scale industry, it costs them Rs 5 lakh to get an electrical connection.
KASSIA President M C R Shetty demanded that a formula for a reasonable allowance, based on the actual expenditure incurred for supply of power, needs to be worked out in order to make the recovery process user-friendly.
The present regulation provides for recovery at a fixed level whether or not the licensee incurs such an expenditure. This has become an impediment for the establishment of small scale industry, he said.
