India, Sept. 23 -- LUCKNOW Will power consumers in Uttar Pradesh be spared a tariff hike for the sixth consecutive year, or will they face a steep increase as proposed by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)?

After months of data analysis and exercise, the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) finds itself in a dilemma, as UPPCL already has a cumulative revenue surplus of about Rs.15,000 crore, calculated by the regulator itself.

"UPPCL has been generating surplus revenue every year. Over the past six to seven years, the cumulative surplus has touched around Rs.15,000 crore, indicating that it has been earning more than its expenditure under regulatory norms, even though the corporation may claim otherwise," accord...