Nearly seven percent increase in electricity rates, no increase in BPL and snow bound consumers and fixed charges.
Dehradun. Electricity rates have been increased by about seven percent in Uttarakhand. The Regulatory Commission released the new rates today. There has been no increase in 4.5 lakh BPL consumers, snow bound consumers and fixed charges.
For domestic category consumers, the electricity bill has been increased by 25 paise for up to 100 units, 30 paise for 101 to 200 units and 40 paise per unit for 201 to 400 units. Acting Chairman of Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission, ML Prasad, said that the discount on solar water heater has been kept at Rs 75 per 50 litres. There was a possibility of 8 to 11 percent increase in electricity prices in the state. UPCL had demanded an increase of 23 to 27 percent, against which the Regulatory Commission had said that it would take its decision according to the needs of the consumers. This year, UPCL, citing Rs 1281 crore annually on power purchase, had demanded that electricity rates should be increased by 23-27 percent.
On this petition, Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission had said that after holding a public hearing across the state and talking to all the stakeholders, the new electricity rates will be finalized and the electricity rates will be declared by the end of this week or by Monday. It was expected that after deliberating on all aspects, the Commission may increase the electricity rates by eight to 11 percent, but the electricity rates have been increased by about seven percent.
