Power bill to rise as KERC allows tariff hike

Electricity bill will be dearer by 15 to 30 paise per unit across the state as the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has allowed five electricity supply companies to hike the tariff by 33 paise per unit.

KERC chairman Shambhu Dayal Meena said the companies had proposed an average hike of Rs 1.20/per unit (17.37%) but the commission has allowed an increase of 33 paise/unit (4.8%). The hike is about 19 paise per unit for Hukkeri RECS. The 33 paise is divided into 11 paise as fixed charge and 22 paise as energy charge.

The monthly electricity bill may increase up to Rs 25 for domestic consumers living in urban areas (areas administered by BBMP and other urban local bodies). The hike includes the fixed charge, increased from Rs 50 to Rs 60 for the first KW and Rs 70 for additional KW, and the consumption energy charges, which have been increased by Rs 25 paise.

For domestic consumers in rural areas of Bescom, the fixed charge has been increased from Rs 35 to Rs 45. In village panchayat areas under Bescom, the tariff for monthly consumption up to 30 units will go up to Rs 3.40 /unit to Rs 3.64/unit. Those consuming 31 to 100 units will pay Rs 4.90 per unit instead of Rs 4.65/unit. The 25 paise hike applies for other slabs.

Industrial

The tariff for low tension industrial consumers across the state has been hiked by 15 to 20 paise per unit. The high tension industrial users across the state will see their tariff going up by 20 paise/unit.

For commercial consumers of low tension electricity, the hike is 25 paise/unit. The high tension consumers across the state, on the other hand, will pay 20 paise/unit.

KERC said there was a deficit of Rs 748.21 crore in revenue of five Escoms and Hukkeri RECS. Together with the estimated deficit of Rs 1217.38 crore for 2019-20, the total deficit would have gone up to Rs 1965.69 crore.