Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, May 13: Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) gave its nod for electricity tariff hike by 32 paise per unit on Monday May 12, after considering in detail the requests put forth for revision of charges by different electricity supply companies in the state, and objections filed by the general public. This happens to be the highest ever hike in tariff permitted by KERC during the last four and half years.
The hike was the sixth during the last four and half years, and the rise in charges ranges from ten paise to 50 paise depending on the category of consumers. The hike has been affected, closely following the rise in bus fares of KSRTC, and BMTC. The tariff permitted differs for various categories of consumers, with an average of 32 paise. The new tariff will come into force with immediate effeect, and the consumers will get a fatter bill next time.
KERC has sounded the consumers that they may have to be prepared to face an additional hike of 24 paise per unit soon. The electricity companies had demanded a tariff of hike of 66 paise per unit. KERC chairman, M R Srinivasa Murthy, said in a press conference held on Monday May 12 that KERC has given temporary relief to consumers by opting to pass on lesser load to them for the present. He indicated that taking into account the revenue generated by the electricity supply companies, the hike should have been 24 paise more per unit.
The hike will affect the consumers using monthly power of less than 30 units the least. They will pay only 20 paise more per unit. For those using 31 to 100 units, the hike will be 30 paise, while others will have to bear the burden of 40 paise per unit.
KERC chairman also indicated that the state will have to brace itself for lengthy load sheddings between December 2014 and March 2015, taking into account demand for power during this period, and power generation in the state. The situation will aggravate if thermal power generation suddenly faces problems during this period, he warned.