Latest news with #Saravanan
The Star
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Fomca lauds new 'B40-friendly' electricity tariffs
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) has expressed full support for the implementation of the new electricity tariff structure under Regulatory Period 4 (RP4). The new tariffs will take effect from July 1, 2025, to Dec 31, 2027, under the Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) framework. Describing it as timely, progressive and beneficial for Malaysian households, Fomca chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan said the new tariffs reflects a fairer and more transparent energy pricing system. "This initiative comes at a crucial time when many households are facing financial pressures due to inflation and the rising cost of living," he said. Saravanan said the revised tariff structure reduces the average base tariff from 45.62 sen/kWh to 45.40 sen/kWh, contributing to an estimated 19% reduction in total average electricity costs compared to the previous regulatory period. Although the rate cut may appear marginal, he said it is supported by structural reforms that provide greater protection to domestic consumers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups. Saravanan said the introduction of the "Energy Efficiency Incentive" allows households that consume 1,000 kWh or less per month to avoid any tariff increase, thereby rewarding energy-efficient users and encouraging responsible consumption. "The updated structure also includes a more detailed billing system, with breakdowns of energy generation, network usage, capacity charges, and retail costs. "This level of transparency empowers consumers to understand their bills better and provides clarity on how costs are derived," he said. The expanded "Time of Use" scheme now includes weekends and off-peak weekday hours from 10pm to 2pm the next day, enabling consumers to enjoy further savings by shifting high-usage activities to these periods. Fomca also welcomed continued protection for vulnerable groups, including a RM40 monthly rebate for hardcore poor households under the e-Kasih programme, and dedicated tariffs for the agriculture, water, sanitation, and rail sectors. A 10% rebate for educational institutions, places of worship, and registered welfare homes will also remain in place. Saravanan said the replacement of the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through mechanism with the new Automatic Fuel Adjustment system would enhance price responsiveness to global fuel and currency movements. He however stressed the need for clear communication on any resulting price changes. He urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to step up enforcement against unjustified price hikes in essential goods that may be triggered by the tariff adjustment. "Fomca will continue to monitor the implementation closely and advocate for ongoing consumer engagement, education and regulatory enforcement to maximise the impact of this policy reform," he said. The Energy Commission on Friday (June 20) announced that starting July 1, 2025, over 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia will benefit from fairer and more progressive electricity rates under the newly approved tariff schedule for Regulatory Period 4 (2025-2027). This includes changes to the average base tariff rate, the tariff structure and the fuel cost adjustment mechanism, implemented under the Incentive-Based Regulation framework. – Bernama
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
FOMCA backs new RP4 electricity tariff, calls it fair and timely
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) has expressed full support for the implementation of the new electricity tariff structure under Regulatory Period 4 (RP4), describing it as timely, progressive and beneficial for Malaysian households. FOMCA chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan said the new tariff, which will take effect from July 1, 2025, to Dec 31, 2027, under the Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) framework, reflects a fairer and more transparent energy pricing system. 'This initiative comes at a crucial time when many households are facing financial pressures due to inflation and the rising cost of living,' he told Bernama. He said the revised tariff structure reduces the average base tariff from 45.62 sen/kWh to 45.40 sen/kWh, contributing to an estimated 19 percent reduction in total average electricity costs compared to the previous regulatory period. Although the rate cut may appear marginal, Saravanan said it is supported by structural reforms that provide greater protection to domestic consumers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups. Saravanan said the introduction of the 'Energy Efficiency Incentive' allows households that consume 1,000 kWh or less per month to avoid any tariff increase, thereby rewarding energy-efficient users and encouraging responsible consumption. 'The updated structure also includes a more detailed billing system, with breakdowns of energy generation, network usage, capacity charges, and retail costs. 'This level of transparency empowers consumers to understand their bills better and provides clarity on how costs are derived, thereby enhancing trust and enabling more responsible consumption decisions,' he said. The expanded 'Time of Use' (TOU) scheme now includes weekends and off-peak weekday hours from 10 pm to 2 pm the next day, enabling consumers to enjoy further savings by shifting high-usage activities to these periods. FOMCA also welcomed continued protection for vulnerable groups, including a RM40 monthly rebate for hardcore poor households under the e-Kasih programme, and dedicated tariffs for the agriculture, water, sanitation, and rail sectors. A 10 percent rebate for educational institutions, places of worship, and registered welfare homes will also remain in place. Saravanan said the replacement of the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) mechanism with the new Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) system would enhance price responsiveness to global fuel and currency movements, but stressed the need for clear communication on any resulting price changes. He also urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to step up enforcement against unjustified price hikes in essential goods that may be triggered by the tariff adjustment. 'FOMCA will continue to monitor the implementation closely and advocate for ongoing consumer engagement, education and regulatory enforcement to maximise the impact of this policy reform,' he said. The Energy Commission today announced that starting July 1, 2025, over 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia will benefit from fairer and more progressive electricity rates under the newly approved tariff schedule for Regulatory Period 4 (2025–2027). This includes changes to the average base tariff rate, the tariff structure and the fuel cost adjustment mechanism, implemented under the Incentive-Based Regulation framework.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
FOMCA backs fairer, transparent electricity tariff reform
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) has expressed full support for the implementation of the new electricity tariff structure under Regulatory Period 4 (RP4), describing it as timely, progressive and beneficial for Malaysian households. FOMCA chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan said the new tariff, which will take effect from July 1, 2025, to Dec 31, 2027, under the Incentive-Based Regulation (IBR) framework, reflects a fairer and more transparent energy pricing system. 'This initiative comes at a crucial time when many households are facing financial pressures due to inflation and the rising cost of living,' he told Bernama. He said the revised tariff structure reduces the average base tariff from 45.62 sen/kWh to 45.40 sen/kWh, contributing to an estimated 19 percent reduction in total average electricity costs compared to the previous regulatory period. Although the rate cut may appear marginal, Saravanan said it is supported by structural reforms that provide greater protection to domestic consumers, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups. Saravanan said the introduction of the 'Energy Efficiency Incentive' allows households that consume 1,000 kWh or less per month to avoid any tariff increase, thereby rewarding energy-efficient users and encouraging responsible consumption. 'The updated structure also includes a more detailed billing system, with breakdowns of energy generation, network usage, capacity charges, and retail costs. 'This level of transparency empowers consumers to understand their bills better and provides clarity on how costs are derived, thereby enhancing trust and enabling more responsible consumption decisions,' he said. The expanded 'Time of Use' (TOU) scheme now includes weekends and off-peak weekday hours from 10 pm to 2 pm the next day, enabling consumers to enjoy further savings by shifting high-usage activities to these periods. FOMCA also welcomed continued protection for vulnerable groups, including a RM40 monthly rebate for hardcore poor households under the e-Kasih programme, and dedicated tariffs for the agriculture, water, sanitation, and rail sectors. A 10 percent rebate for educational institutions, places of worship, and registered welfare homes will also remain in place. Saravanan said the replacement of the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) mechanism with the new Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) system would enhance price responsiveness to global fuel and currency movements, but stressed the need for clear communication on any resulting price changes. He also urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to step up enforcement against unjustified price hikes in essential goods that may be triggered by the tariff adjustment. 'FOMCA will continue to monitor the implementation closely and advocate for ongoing consumer engagement, education and regulatory enforcement to maximise the impact of this policy reform,' he said. The Energy Commission today announced that starting July 1, 2025, over 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia will benefit from fairer and more progressive electricity rates under the newly approved tariff schedule for Regulatory Period 4 (2025–2027). This includes changes to the average base tariff rate, the tariff structure and the fuel cost adjustment mechanism, implemented under the Incentive-Based Regulation framework.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Vishnupuram Saravanan bags Sahitya Akademi's Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025 for Tamil
Writer Vishnupuram Saravanan has been awarded the Bal Sahitya Puraskar of the Sahitya Akademi for 2025 in the Tamil language category for his children's novel Otrai Siragu Oviya. Published in 2019 by Books for Children, an imprint of Bharathi Puthakalayam, the novel blends elements of fantasy, ecology, and socio-political themes. Mr. Saravanan hails from Vishnupuram in Tiruvarur district. He is currently associated with children's magazine initiatives of the Tamil Nadu School Education Department. He has previously worked in Tamil media for nearly a decade and has authored several children's books. Speaking to The Hindu, he said that he was deeply honoured by the recognition. 'This book is very close to my heart. My friends often say that even if I write many more, Otrai Siragu Oviya will always remain the best.' The Sahitya Akademi also announced the Yuva Puraskar 2025 in Tamil to writer Latshmihar for the short story Koothondru Kooditru. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin congratulated both awardees in a post on X.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Former TNEB Additional Chief Engineer sentenced to two years in corruption case
Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act in Tiruchi on Wednesday sentenced a former Additional Chief Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board(TNEB) to two years of imprisonment for accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 in a 2005 case. The convicted official, Arumugam ,77, was serving as Additional Chief Engineer at the Mannarpuram TNEB office here when the incident occurred. Saravanan, who was working as an electrical supervisor at a private oxygen production unit owned by K. V. Nagarajan in Thuvakudi, had applied for an upgrade in power supply — from 175 KVA to 200 KVA — on November 7, 2005. Arumugam allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹10,000 to process the request, asking for ₹5,000 as an advance. Saravanan, unwilling to pay the bribe, lodged a complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). A trap was laid under the supervision of DSP Suresh Kumar, and Arumugam was caught red-handed while accepting the money. Following the trial Judge found Arumugam guilty under Sections 7 and 13(2) read with 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was sentenced to one year of imprisonment and fined ₹10,000 under Section 7, and two years of imprisonment with an additional fine of ₹10,000 under Section 13. The sentences are to run concurrently.
