Nagpur: It’s power pinch once again! All those lamenting the escalating power bills will set their woes multiplied with the latest decision of Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, which has increased the burden of the consumers by Rs 9,000 crore in next five years.
The move has increased the power cost by 12 per cent and will directly affect the farmers and the common man. The power cost for agriculture purpose has also been increased.
MSEDCL had submitted petition for power tariff hike to tune of Rs 56,372 crore, claiming losses from 2016-17 upto 2019-20.
The regulatory commission after conducting public hearing in all its divisional offices in the State has approved power hike of about Rs 9,149 crore. This will be the first time that the burden of the power theft and other losses has been passed on to the common man.
A new fees has been added in the electricity bill in the name of Wheeling. Wherein, the consumers using 0 to 100 unit of electricity will be charged 3 paisa per unit. The bill of this category has been reduced from Rs 3.76 per unit to Rs 2.98 per unit. However, the implementation of Wheeling fees has increased the power tariff to Rs 4.16 per unit, which earlier was Rs 4.13 per unit. Similar, differences have been witnessed in other categories also and will affect commercial, industrial and other categories also.
Benefits to industries withdrawn
The relaxation in power tariffs given to industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada has been withdrawn in the new category. Till now, Rs 5.51 per unit was charged on the industries consuming upto 20 KW electricity. Now as per the new tarrif the charges will be ` 5.98 per unit.
Agriculture sector also affected
The power tarrif for agriculture consumption has also been increased according to the various categories in the range of 4.87 per cent to 13.51 per cent. Similarly, the electricity supplied to water supply projects, sewerage plants and street lights have also been increased considerably.
Commission failed to implement Electricity Act
The convener of Energy Cell (VIA) R B Goenka criticised the new power tarrif hike and said that the regulatory commission has failed in implementing the new Electricity Act in the State. The cross subsidy has been increased, even after providing a road map to them b yVIA. Similarly, the domestic consumers category using upto 300 unit have not been separated.
Maximum fuel surcharge
Maximum fuel surcharge fees has been the basis for deciding the new power tarrif. This fees is charged on the basis of fuel surcharge and varies every month. The tariff was decided at 84 paise per unit, which was the rate prevailing in the month of October.
