Mescom can't account for power worth Rs245 crore

[email protected] (Subhash Chandra N S, DHNS)
September 11, 2011

mescom

Bangalore, September 11: The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) has said it cannot account for power it purchased for its consumers at a cost of Rs 245.77 crore.

Seeking a tariff revision for 2011-12, the company has told the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KREC) that it bought 525.77 million units (MU) of energy for its customers, but the latter had not consumed the power.

In its Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for 2011-2012, Mescom has admitted that it has not received the mysterious 525.77 mu, although it had paid for it. The commission has scheduled the escom's submission for hearing on September 19, when the company would have to explain the discrepancy.

In its submission, Mescom has said that it is not aware where the power has gone, leaving the power consumers furious. “We want to know why the Mescom paid for the unused power. The company owes an explanation to the consumer,” says Satyanarayana Udupa, General Secretary, Bharathiya Kissan Sangh from Udupi.

Mescom told KERC that it supplied its consumers 4,275.86 MU during 2010-11, while the actual consumption was 3750.09 MU. It, however could not account for 525.77 mu.

When the commission questioned the power supplier about the discrepancy, a sheepish Mescom asked that its consumption figure for the forthcoming year be reduced by

Rs 151.84 crore to adjust for the discrepancy.

“Mescom purchased power at a cost of Rs 1,131.51 crore. The missing Rs 245.77 crore was included in that figure. They have made a false subm­is­sion stating that they purc­h­ased power at a cost of Rs 2.888 per unit, but they actually purchased it for Rs 4.67,” said Sridhar Prabhu, a power expert and an advocate, citing the company's ARR (Annual Revenue Requirement).

“Mescom should have argued that the power purchase rate was Rs 4.67 paise a unit and not at Rs 2.888, and they could have sought a reduction of Rs 240.27 crore from their ARR, which would have reduced the burden on consumers by Rs 88.43 crore,” said another power expert, speaking on condition of anonymity.

However, statistics apart, what happened to the power that Mescom is supposed to have bought, remains a mystery. Neither any distribution company in the State nor the State Load Dispatch Centre has claimed to have utilised 525.77 mu purchased by Mescom, deepening the mystery. Even the KERC daily report has been unable to account for the missing power.

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News Network
November 16,2024

Mangaluru: The Kavoor police in Mangaluru, Karnataka, have arrested three individuals from Kerala in connection with two separate cybercrime cases, including one involving extortion under the guise of a "digital arrest."

City Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal reported that one of the arrested individuals, Nisar, a resident of Ernakulam district, posed as a CBI officer. He allegedly threatened the complainant with arrest and extorted Rs 68 lakh. A case has been filed under sections 66 (C) and 66 (D) of the IT Act, and sections 308 (2) and 381 (4) of BNS.

In another case, the Kavoor police arrested two men, Sahil K P of Thiruvannur, Kozhikode, and Muhammad Nashath of Mappila Koyilandy, Kerala, in connection with a share trade fraud. The accused are alleged to have deceived the complainant by promising substantial profits from an investment in the stock market. Trusting the fraudsters, the complainant invested Rs 90 lakh, which was subsequently lost. A case has been registered under sections 66 (C) and 66 (D) of the IT Act, and sections 318 (4) and 3 (5) of BNS.

The accused were arrested in Koyilandi and presented before the court. The operation was carried out under the guidance of City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, led by Mangaluru North Sub-Division ACP Srikanth K, Kavoor Inspector Raghavendra Byndoor, Kavoor PSI Mallikarjuna Biradara, and staff members Ramanna Shetty, Bhuvaneshwari, Rajappa Kashibai, Praveen N, and Malatesh. 

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News Network
November 26,2024

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Mangaluru: The coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are witnessing a fascinating weather pattern, with chilly early mornings giving way to dry, sweltering afternoons. Over the past two days, dense fog blanketed the rural landscapes, while urban centers like Mangaluru felt the stark contrast of brisk mornings and peak afternoon heat.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that in rural areas, the morning chill caused temperatures to dip by one to two degrees Celsius below the seasonal norm, intensifying the fog. Monday saw Mangaluru recording a maximum temperature of 33.3°C and a minimum of 22.6°C, reflective of the sharp day-night variation.

While mornings painted a serene picture with mist-covered trees and a cool ambiance, the afternoons proved relentless, with temperatures soaring between 11 am and 3 pm, offering little respite. Currently, there are no signs of rainfall, with forecasts predicting the continuation of this dual weather pattern for the coming days.

Local residents have mixed feelings about this weather trend. Farmers in rural areas appreciate the cool mornings that ease early chores but express concerns over the dry afternoons, which may affect crop irrigation if the dry spell prolongs. In contrast, urban dwellers are enjoying the foggy mornings but brace for the scorching afternoons.

Meteorologists attribute the sudden chill to shifts in atmospheric pressure along the coast, a precursor to possible weather transitions in December. Whether this pattern persists or leads to unexpected changes remains to be seen, but the twin districts are clearly caught in nature's dramatic play of contrasts.

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News Network
November 14,2024

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Bengaluru: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government has requested the Karnataka High Court to direct the Mandya district administration and the state government to clear a madrasa operating within the premises of the historic Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna.

The Waqf Board, opposing this move, has claimed the mosque as its property and defended the right to conduct madrasa activities there.

The matter was brought before a division bench headed by Chief Justice N V Anjaria following a public interest litigation filed by a person named Abhishek Gowda from Kabbalu village in Kanakapura taluk. The petition alleged “unauthorised madrasa activities” within the mosque.

Representing the Central government, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka, K Arvind Kamath argued that the Jama Masjid was designated as a protected monument in 1951, yet unauthorised madrasa operations continue there.

He noted that concerns over potential law and order issues have so far prevented any intervention. Kamath urged the court to direct the Mandya district administration to take action and vacate the madrasa from the mosque.

In defence, lawyers for the state government and the Waqf Board contested this request, stating that the Waqf Board had been recognised as the owner of the property since 1963 and, thus, conducting madrasa activities there is lawful.

After hearing both sides, the bench adjourned the case for further arguments, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.

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