There are efforts and actions being taken to reduce power tariffs and make the grid sustainable. These include negotiations with the IPPs, forcing industry to move from captive power generation by raising gas tariffs exorbitantly, shifts in the solar net-metering policy, and higher taxes on petroleum products to lower grid prices.

The prime focus of tariff reforms should be to make industry competitive. Whatever fiscal and other space the government is creating should go to the industry.

The objective should be to bring the industrial tariff to 9 cents to make it regionally competitive. Industrial growth should be facilitated by bringing employment and business opportunities for domestic users. This will help households afford electricity and other goods and services.

There are talks about an Rs8 per unit reduction in power tariffs. Well, these numbers are grossly exaggerated, and getting even half of this is going to be a decent achievement.

The share of domestic consumers is double the industrial load on the grid. Thus, lower fiscal support is required to reduce industrial tariffs, and it would have a larger impact on the overall economy, which is in the quest of economic........

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