Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 10: The people of the state, who are already reeling under a crisis let loose by prolonged lockdown on account of coronavirus infection, are now compelled to receive another jolt. Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission, through an order dated Wednesday June 9, hiked the tariff by 30 paise per unit. This hike is applicable from April 1 this year, and the revised tariff for April and May has been directed to be included in the bills pertaining to October and November this year.

The hike effectively has resulted in 3.84 percent hike on existing tariff. Residents of the city who were earlier paying Rs 1,172 per month for using 200 units, will henceforth pay Rs 1,192.

The electricity supply companies had put forth a demand for a hike of tariff by 17.31 percent. The commission had given its nod for a 40 paise hike last year.

Tariff for the domestic consumers’ first stage has been increased from 0-30 units to 0-50 units. For consumers living in Bescom limits and other city corporations and municipalities, domestic consumers will pay ten paise per unit more for the first 50 units and for the other stages too similar ten paise hike has been permitted. Domestic consumers falling under rural areas too will pay the same rate.

For the domestic consumers in cities, the power tariff has been hiked from Rs 3.95 per unit to Rs 4.05 per unit. For the consumers using 51-100 units per month, the rate will go up from 5.45 per unit to 5.55. For 101-200 units the rate will be Rs 7.10 as compared 7.00 earlier. For over 201 units, the rate is Rs 8.15 place of earlier Rs 8.05.

In rural areas the tariff is marginally less. This happens to be the third hike in the last one year. In June last, 8 to 13 paise per unit had been increased in June in order to fuel surcharge. The hike that was to be effective from April last was permitted in November. Then a 40 paise increase per unit was permitted. Now, 30 paise hike has been permitted.

For the low tension industries, power tariff has gone up by ten paise per unit. The earlier Rs 5.90 per unit up to first 500 units has been increased to Rs 6 per unit. For use of over 500 units, per unit tariff has been increased by ten paise. For the high tension consumers, the hike ranges from ten paise to 20 paise per unit. The fixed charges included in the monthly bill has been increased. For all the plants per kilo watt horsepower, Rs 10 to Rs 20 increase has been permitted.