JOIN USThe Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Monday allowed the electricity supply companies (escoms) to hike the tariff by an average of 32 paise per unit for the year 2014-15, while declaring Rs 1,209 crore as regulatory assets to be recovered in future.
The tariff hike will come into effect for the electricity consumed from the first meter reading on or after May 1, 2014. The KERC did not disappoint the escoms, which had sought a hike of 66 paise per unit. It has allowed an increase in tariff between 10 paise and 50 paise, amounting to an average of 32 paise per unit, the highest hike since the commission came into existence.
The revision, put on hold due to the model code of conduct declared ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, is likely to burn a deep hole in the pockets of consumers across the spectrum. Domestic consumers will pay an extra 20 paise per unit till 30 units. The tariff has been increased by 30 paise per unit for those who consume power between 30 and 100 units. Those consuming more than 100 units have to pay 40 paise per unit. The domestic consumers in the rural areas have to shell out between 20 and 40 paise on the lines of the urban consumers.
Commercial and Industrial tariff has also been hiked by 30 to 40 paise per unit. Tariff for the Low Tension (LT) commercial units has gone up by 30 paise for those consuming up to 50 units. For LT industrial units, the KERC has prescribed a tariff of 30 paise for the first 500 units and 40 paise for above 500 units.
The tariffs for water supply and public lighting facilities have also seen a substantial increase. Accordingly, the LT water supply installations have to pay an additional 10 paise per unit. The tariff for High Tension water supply installations has gone up by 20 paise.
The tariff for street lights has increased by 40 paise per unit. Private educational institutes and private hospitals under LT category have to pay between 30 and 50 paise more for the first 200 units consumed and for the power consumed beyond 200 units, respectively.