Karnataka Electricity Board Hikes Power Tariff By 33 Paise Per Unit, Approves Peak Hour Usage Charges

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has given its nods for the increase of the price of each unit by 33 paise across all the electricity supply companies (Escoms), the Hindu reports.

The decision comes after five different Escoms had requested a hike in tariff ranging from Rs 1 to Rs 1.67 per unit for all categories of consumers.

KERC Chairperson Shambhi Dayal Meena said that hike comes due to an increase in various costs like power purchase, operations, interest and finance. An 22 per cent increase in depreciation and the deficit for the 2017-18 fiscal reaching Rs 2,192.33 crore adds to the cause for the hike.

KERC will continue the support the use of clean energy and reduce carbon emission in the state. It has approved concessional tariff of Rs 5.20 towards BMRCL, and continue to give power to railway traction at Rs 6.20 per unit round the clock. The regulatory board will also extend its support to electric vehicles by offering power at Rs 5 per unit.

Tariffs will vary by ‘Time of Day’, Meena added. The tariff would be hiked by Rs 1 per unit during the peak hours in the mornings and evening, while consumers utilising power during non-peak hours will get a subsidy of Rs 1 to Rs 2 per unit.