Consumers have to pay more for electricity now
Domestic consumers will now have to pay more for the electricity they use. The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Friday approved a 10 paise hike across the slabs in the retail supply tariff for the year 2013-14.
The new tariff will come into effect from April 1.
For the first 50 units, a consumer will now have to pay Rs 2.30 per unit against Rs 2.20, whereas for the slab 50 units to 200 units, the tariff will be Rs 4 per unit. For the slab of 200-400 units, the tariff will be Rs 5, while the next slab will be charged at Rs 5.40 per unit.
This is for the fourth consecutive year that the power tariff has been hiked in the State. Effecting an average 2.4 per cent hike in the tariff for LT consumers, the commission noted that the raise is nominal.
Going by a simple calculation, those who consume 50 units and shelled out Rs 110 during 2012-13, will have to pay Rs 115 during 2013-14. Those consuming 100 units will pay Rs 315 against the current charge of Rs 305. For a consumption of 200 units, Rs 715 will be charged against Rs 695 earlier.
‘’Against an annual average inflation rate of 7.6 pc in 2012-13, a 10 pc rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and 16 pc hike in diesel prices, the 2.4 pc raise in tariff is nominal,’’ the commission said and hoped that the consumers can bear the slight rise.
From next year, consumers who do not pay electricity bill in time and have not been disconnected will be levied a charge of `150 after a two-month delay. (Source – New Indian Express)
