Even as UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) seeks to put in place the revised power tariff rate for two consecutive years -- 2010-11 and 2011-12 -- an audit report from various distribution companies yet to be received by the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC). The issue once again reverberated at the meeting of state advisory council held at the commission on Friday with the consumer associations resisting any revision of tariff.

Attended by some of the top officials from UPPCL, the UPERC and consumer organisations like UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhogta Parishad, the meeting saw a raging discussion over the issue with the parishad demanding slapping of fine on the discoms for not releasing their audit sheets.

Parishad president AK Verma said that the corporation appears to be taking power consumers for a ride, while the commission turn a blind eye. "There are specific provisions in the electricity act where in a commission can strictly ask the corporation to release the audit report or slap a fine. But that is just not happening,'' Verma said.

Corporation's move to come up with a swiss challenge method for purchasing power from outside agencies too was taken up at the meeting. The method was sharply criticised as it potentially raised the burden on the corporation which ultimately would be passed on the consumers, the parishad said in a letter dashed off to chairman UPERC on Friday.