Shimla, Apr 21 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said the state had decided to extend concessions to industrial, commercial, tourism, agriculture and other electricity consumers owing to the COVID-19 crisis.

He said the payment of demand charges in respect of industrial, commercial and agriculture consumers for electricity consumption of April would be billed in May. And for the consumption of May to be billed in June has been deferred till June 30.

The charges would be recovered in three equal instalments in July, August and September.

Thakur said a rebate of one per cent up to the maximum Rs 10,000 would be available for industrial, commercial and agriculture consumers who pay the bill on or before May 31 for the consumption of April.

The Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd would ensure continuity of electricity supply to all consumers and no disconnection would be made till May 31 for non-recovery of bills and late payment surcharge.

He said these concessions would help the electricity consumers to meet with the economic hardships being faced by them due to pandemic.