KERC to up power tariff

As Assembly elections are over, get ready to pay more for electricity. The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will announce a decision to this effect on Monday. The decision had been put on hold on the state government’s request as it didn’t want to antagonise voters.

KERC Chairman M K Shankaralinge Gowda confirmed a decision about the hike had been taken following meetings with all stakeholders and that it would be announced on Monday. Electricity supply companies and other stakeholders had placed proposals before the commission to increase the tariff from 83 paise to Re 1.10.

The KERC held consultations with consumers and companies from February 19 to March 2. Many cooperative societies like the Hukkeri Rural Electric Cooperative Society sought a 75-paise hike. But consumers, especially the rural folk, said any hike would hit them hard. KERC officials sought to allay their fears, saying government schemes like the Niranthara Jyothi and IP sets would be exempted from the hike.

The commission was to revise the tariff in April but put it hold on the government’s request, an energy department official said requesting anonymity.

In March 2017, the KERC had hiked the power tariff by 48 paise, an increase of 8% compared with 2016. But many stakeholders were not happy with the revision and have been demanding another hike since December 2017. They have demanded an average hike of Rs 1.48 per unit, citing drought and coal shortage. While Bescom has sought a hike of 83 paise, Mescom asked for Rs 1.23, CESC Rs 1.13, Hescom Rs 1.23 and Gescom Rs 1.62.