Thaindian News

Lucknow, April 1 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) Thursday night announced 13 percent hike in power tariffs across the state.
The hike - the second in the year - would come into effect after formal approval of the state government to which the commission has forwarded its recommendations.

Except for consumers belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, for whom the rates remain unchanged at Rs.1.90 per unit, all other categories of consumers would have to bear the burden of the increase, as statement said.

Even as the average tariff hike was of the order of 13 percent, it would vary from category to category.

According to a press release issued by the commission late Thursday night, domestic consumers using up to 200 units in a month would have to now pay at the rate of Rs.3.45 per unit as against the existing tariff of Rs.3 per unit.

Consumers above a monthly consumption of 200 units would be charged Rs.3.80 per unit against the prevailing rate of Rs.3.30. The fixed charge for both categories have been raised from Rs.60 to Rs.65 per kilo-watt load.

For the commercial consumers, the per unit hike will be a flat 65 paise. Thus, as against the existing rate of Rs.4.30 per unit, all commercial consumers would now have to pay a tariff of Rs. 4.95.

Their fixed monthly charge has been raised from Rs.100 to Rs.115, while the minimum monthly charge has been increased from Rs.300 to Rs. 345.

The hike has not spared the rural consumer this time.

Rural consumers in the “unmetered” category would be charged a flat Rs.125 instead of Rs.110 per month. However, the metered connections would be continue to be charged at Rs.1 per unit, while they would have to pay a fixed monthly charge of Rs.15.

UPERC has, however, ordered withdrawal of additional charge for installation of air-conditioners.