Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has shocked the people by approving an average tariff increase of 6.8 per cent for domestic and industrial consumers. BPL families using less than 40 units a month have been exempted from the hike. The revised tariff implemented with immediate effect will be in force till 2022.
The tariff was last hiked in 2017. There will be an increase of Rs 18 for those using up to 50 units a month and Rs 42 up to 100 units. The increase will be up to 40 paise per unit in the domestic sector.
Fixed charges have also been increased on the basis of slabs. The domestic consumers will be hit hard with an increase of 11.4 percent. The increase for commercial consumers is 3.3 percent, high tension industrial consumers 6.1 percent and low- tension industry 5.7 percent.
KSERC chairman Preman Dhinraj said that the monthly fixed rates and energy rates have been increased.
“KSEB wanted an additional mobilisation of Rs 1,100 crore. But even with this hike, the additional revenue will come to only Rs 902 crore," he said.
While those who have been using up to 40 units of power per month will not be affected, consumers using up to 50 units month will see a hike of Rs 5 in their bill. Cancer patients and bedridden people will receive deductions.
