Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Dec 16: Though the energy minister has given indications of reducing electricity tariff, Escoms as usual are urging for hike in the tariff.

All Escoms have sent proposals to Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Board (KERC) in this regard. In addition to normal price hike, the Escoms have mentioned the pension fund for Escom employees including KPTCL and revision of their salaries as the reason for their tariff hike request.

KERC will take a final call in February after going through the proposals of Escoms and listening to the petitions of consumers. However, it is said that price will not be hiked in the wake of assembly elections.

Generally new rates apply from the month of April every year. Consumers may get temporary relief if election code of conduct is implemented during that time. However, the revised rates, though done later will have to be paid from the month of April itself.

Instructions are given to claim the pension contribution fund of Rs 3353.27 crore pending from the government in three equal instalments. As the government backed out from buying electricity from Tannirbhavi, funds marked for that project of Rs 1657 crore will also be added in the tariff hike. So consumers will have to bear a lot of burden in coming days.

From August 1, unit rate of electricity was increased from 24 paise to 43 paise under fuel adjustment fee. In April 2022 an increase of 35 paise per unit was done. It seems only because of assembly elections, the consumers are having some relief. But the joy will be short lives, as the hike is likely to be quite steep after the elections are over.