Mysuru, June 16 -- Reacting to Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) levying an additional 36 paise per unit as Pension and Gratuity (P&G) contribution from April 2025 on consumers using more than 200 units or opting out of free power, Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has termed the surcharge a violation of the spirit of power sector reforms.

In a press release, Bhamy V. Shenoy, Founding Working President of MGP, said reversing this charge is unlikely unless there is widespread public protest, which appears improbable at present. However, he urged consumers to register their opposition now to deter similar "unjustified and unethical cess" in future.

He pointed out that the Karnataka Electricity Reform (KER) Act of 2002, wh...