Chandigarh, Jun 1 (IANS): Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, here on Monday, welcomed the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission's (PSERC) decision to reduce the domestic tariff despite dip in revenue due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

The rates could be further rationalised in the interest of the people, he hoped.

The Chief Minister said his government had recommended even more reduction in tariff for domestic as well as industrial consumers, but the PSERC had been unable to accommodate the request in view of the steep fall in revenue.

In April, the Punjab State Power Corporation had suffered Rs 30 crore losses a day due to shutdown, he said.

Pointing out that the domestic power tariff rationalisation had been done after many years, he said even with the current reduction in 50 paise per unit for load up to 50 Kw and 25 paise per unit for 0-100 unit and 101-300 unit slabs would give Rs 354.82 crore relief to 69 lakh domestic consumers.

The poor, worst-hit by the pandemic, would benefit most from power tariff cut, he said.

The PSERC has not increased tariff for small shopkeepers, who were also badly affected by the lockdown.

Though the industry's demand for lowering of fixed charges could not be met, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that there was no increase either for any category of industrial consumers.

He also welcomed the PSERC decision to continue with the special night tariff with 50 per cent fixed charges and energy charge of Rs 4.83/kVAh for industrial consumers using electricity exclusively during 10 p.m. to 6 a.m, and to extend it to small power industrial category consumers.

This would help the small units overcome some of the economic losses suffered due to the lockdown, he remarked.