Tangedco to collect commercial tariff for STPs, RO plants in apartments and group houses

It is impractical as the facilities are used for only domestic purpose, says consumer activist

Residents of apartments and group houses may have to shell out more for common facilities such as sewage treatment plant and RO plant on their premises as the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) is issuing notices to the owners of these buildings, asking them to change the power supply connection to these facilities to commercial tariff.

K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said that in a communication last month, the Tangedco had asked its field officials to ensure that electricity connection to sewage treatment plant, RO plant, and firefighting system in apartments and group houses should be changed from domestic to commercial tariff. “We strongly oppose it since it is demanded after four years of tariff order and it is not practically possible to change to commercial service whenever the licensee says so,” he said.

According to the tariff order of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission, dated August 11, 2017, the common supply under Low Tension tariff IA (domestic) shall be applicable for supply to lighting, water supply and lift provided to the residents of multi tenements / residential complexes. Other than the above, the common supply used for gymnasium, community hall, etc., inside the multi-tenement / residential complex shall be classified under commercial tariff.