Karnataka: KERC hikes average power tariff by 30 paise per unit

Picture used for representational purpose only

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Wednesday announced an increase of electricity tariff by 30 paise per unit with effect from April 1 this year. The hike includes 10 paise per unit increase across all slabs and upward revision in the fixed charges in the range of Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 per kW/HP/kVA in respect of all category of installations. Some slabs have been tinkered with.

The rise of 10 paise is effective for all LT, HT industrial, commercial consumers and educational institutions and hospitals. For instance, if you were paying Rs. 1565 for 212 units under the old regime, the bill under the new tariff will be Rs. 1585. If you were paying Rs. 3734 for 441 units, you will now pay
Rs. 3811.

The bump-up of the tariff was inevitable due to an increase in operational costs, cosy of power purchase and operation and maintenance costs, said KERC. The revision comes subsequently after a 40 paise per unit hike in November.

According to KERC, the hike for 2021-22 is an average of 3.8% whereas Escoms (electricity supply companies) had sought an average increase of 135 paise per unit or 173%. The hike in energy and fixed charges is uniform across both rural and urban areas of all Escoms.

Due to the current condition of lockdown in the state. The backlog towards the revision of tariff for April and May will be recovered in October and November bills without imposing any interest.

KERC had revised the first slab of 0-30 units to 0-50 units and the second 31-100 units to 51-100 units. According to KERC, the slab revision will be in favour of those consuming less energy.

However, the commission has not increased the tariff of power supplied to BMRCL, which runs metro trains, to encourage commuters to use public transportation to use clean energy and reduce carbon emission in the state.