Often, the issue of higher power tariff in Maharashtra vis-a-vis other States raises several questions. But, within Maharashtra also, comparison of four distribution licensees including the State-run Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) reveals disparity in power tariff for various categories. And, this is not some stray statement. This revelation has been made in the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2023-24, which was tabled in State Legislature in June 2024. Under the head ‘Average tariffs of electricity during 2023-24’, the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2023-24 carried comparison of average power tariffs for MSEDCL or Mahadiscom, BEST, Adani Electricity, and Tata Power. As per the chart in the said official document of Government of Maharashtra, MSEDCL’s tariffs for various sub-categories of users in the Low Tension-Domestic/Residential category of consumers from 0-100 units consumption slab ranges from Rs 6.72/unit to maximum Rs 17.10/unit. But, in comparison, the range for the same category is Rs 3.48/unit to Rs 12.74/unit for BEST, Rs 5.98/unit to Rs 11.05/unit for Adani Electricity, and Rs 3.67/unit to Rs 11.33/unit for Tata Power. Thus, the tariff of MSEDCL is higher in the range of 74 paise/unit to 4.36/unit for LT-Domestic/Residential consumers.

 

For LT-Commercial category, MSEDCL’s tariff is in the range of Rs 11.62/unit to Rs 17.97/unit. Whereas, that for BEST is in the range of Rs 9.97/unit to 11.46/unit For Adani Electricity, it is in the range of Rs 9.24/unit to Rs 10.10/unit. The tariff for this category is in the range of Rs 8.89/unit to Rs 10.62/unit for Tata Power. Again, MSEDCL’s tariff for the said category works out to be the highest, with minimum Rs 1.65/unit to the maximum Rs 6.51/unit higher than other three distribution licensees. The per unit power tariff for some other categories is as follows: LT-Industry -- Rs 7.69 and Rs 10.27 (MSEDCL), Rs 8.33 and Rs 10.87 (BEST), Rs 8.28 and Rs 9.37 (Adani Electricity), and Rs 8.01 and Rs 9.55 (Tata Power); HT-Industry -- Rs 9.70 (MSEDCL), Rs 9.16 (BEST), Rs 8.98 (Adani Electricity), and Rs 9.17 (Tata Power); HT-Commercial -- Rs 15.03 (MSEDCL), Rs 10.45 (BEST), Rs 9.39 (Adani Electricity), and Rs 10.81 (Tata Power). Since the data in the Economic Survey involving cash transactions for appointment at the RTO. Despite Kumar’s recommendation, Vijay Chavan, who was previously at the Kolhapur RTO, has been reappointed to the RTO Nagpur Rural just two months after his earlier reassignment. This decision has surprised many, particularly because the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the RTO case has not yet completed its work. Chavan had previously served as Deputy Regional Transport Officer in Gadchiroli and had shown his appointment at Gondia RTO and wrongfully took charge of RTO Nagpur Rural. In 2023, a recording of a meeting discussing RTO officer transfers for cash and appointments went viral.

 

Following this, CP Amitesh Kumar had ordered a probe and recommended that several officials, including Vijay Chavan, Ravindra Bhuyar, Geeta Shejwal, Kulbir Kalshi, Sanket Gaikwad, and Rahul Pawar, be reassigned to non-executive positions outside Nagpur. Following these recommendations, the officials were transferred. However, Bhuyar challenged Kumar's recommendations in court, resulting in a stay of the recommendation for Bhuyar. Recently, the Transport Department conducted a lottery for transfers but later altered the decisions. Even after these changes, the department transferred officials within two months. When asked about the transfers, Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar stated that the transfers were carried out based on administrative needs. Bhimanwar refused to comment on the CP Amitesh Kumar’s report.