Hyderabad, Feb 10 (IANS): The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Authority on Monday announced a hike in electricity tariff for consumers who are consuming over 500 units per month.

The authorities increased the tariff by 90 paise per unit for consumers falling in this category. They will now have to pay Rs 9.95 per unit against existing Rs 9.05.

The move will burden 1.35 lakh households across the state. APERC Chairman C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy told reporters here that the tariff was hiked to narrow the revenue gap of electricity distribution companies.

The power distribution companies will earn an estimated additional revenue of Rs 1,395 crore with this tariff hike.

The APERC issued the orders after taking into account the proposals submitted by the distribution companies and after conducting a public hearing.

It is estimated that AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Ltd and AP Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd will have revenue deficit of Rs 14,349.07 crore for 2020-21. They are expecting a subsidy of Rs 7,816 crore from the government. This includes Rs 7,463 crore subsidy for agriculture sector.

Reddy said an action plan was prepared to provide electricity to the agriculture sector. As per the government policy, farmers will be provided daily nine hours free electricity.