Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS/SP)

Bengaluru, May 31: As soon as the election code of conduct came to an end, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has come up with an order pertaining to demands made by different electricity supply companies in the state for upward revision of power tariff. The hike now affected averages 33 paise per unit. The new rates would be applicable retrospectively from April 1 onward.

All the electricity supply companies including Bengaluru electricity supply company had approached KERC for a hike of Rs 1.20 per unit on an average, which works out to 17.37 percent. KERC which verified the claims and calculations, and also heard the views of consumers, has permitted only an increase of 33 paise per unit on an average, which works out to 4.8 percent. An order to this effect was issued on Thursday May 30. Last year, hike of 34 paise per unit had been permitted.

Chairman of the commission, Shambhu Dayal Meena, who announced the hike at a press meet, gave details of hike permitted for different groups of consumers and added that the five slabs prescribed for the rural areas under Bengaluru electricity supply company has been changed to four slabs. In all slabs across the board, hike of 33 paise per unit has been permitted, he stated.

Details of revised rates:

Excepting BESCOM following are the rates for use of electricity for domestic purpose in the rest of the four ESCOMs falling under city corporations and town municipality areas 

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 3.45 to 3.70 up to the usage of 30 units

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 4.95 to Rs 5.20 up to the usage from 31 to100 units

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 6.50 to Rs 6.75 up to the usage from 101 to 200 units

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 7.55 to Rs 7.80 for usage above 200 units 

For gram panchayat limits the revised rates are as follows

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 3.35 to 3.60 up to the usage of 30 units

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 4.65 to Rs 4.90 up to the usage from 31 to100 units

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 6.20 to Rs 6.45 up to the usage from 101 to 200 units

*Rate of every unit is increased from Rs 7.05 to Rs 7.30 for usage above 200 units