DVC Slams Industry Appeal as 'Misleading,' Defends Tariff and Audit Process
The accounts of DVC are rigorously audited by the Comptroller & Accountant General of India (CAG) and not by a Chartered Accountant and hence the allegation made by the associations in their appeal that a forensic audit should be conducted is baseless, false and misleading, said DVC.
An appeal has been published by the Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association/ WB Sponge Iron Manufacturers’ Association, Damodar Valley Power Consumers’ Association on 29.05.2025 regarding the electricity tariff applicable to them. The appeal consists of a number of factual inaccuracies and inconsistencies which are completely one sided and have not been brought out in their appeal. DVC distributes power to the HT and LT, industrial/ commercial consumers within the DVC Valley area of West Bengal and Jharkhand. The distribution tariff is fixed by the Hon’ble WBERC for West Bengal and Hon’ble JSERC for Jharkhand. DVC has been time and again representing to both the state governments that there is a need for uniformity in the electricity tariff fixation through one regulatory commission.
DVC tariff within West Bengal has remained static over the years as the above mentioned Associations have litigated at various fora since 2007 on various reasons which are not tenable as per the order of Supreme Court in 2018. The above Associations subsequently have then litigated against the payment of arrears which became effective again at various fora which was closed by the Supreme Court in 2025 with a direction to pay arrears within a time period of 2 months. DVC has all along complied with the order of the Hon’ble Courts and had been very patient with the Associations.
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The tariff for 132 KV and 33KV has largely remained static since FY 2018-19 due to the litigation brought in by the above-mentioned Associations. DVC has continued to supply electricity in spite of the rise in cost of fuel and manpower cost. The current tariff in W Bengal decided by WBERC is a cost reflective tariff that is quite justified to which DVC is eligible.
DVC is a statutory organization created in 1948 by Govt of India in partnership with the states of Bihar (now Jharkhand) and West Bengal. All three have equal shares in the DVC and have a say in the management of DVC. The accounts of DVC are rigorously audited by the Comptroller & Accountant General of India (CAG) and not by a Chartered Accountant and hence the allegation made by the associations in their appeal that a forensic audit should be conducted is baseless, false and misleading.
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