Other States - Uttar Pradesh   

Steep hike in UP power rates proposed; rural consumers spared

LUCKNOW: Power consumers in Uttar Pradesh will have to pay more following new tariff proposals for 2008-2009 announced by the U.P. Electricity Regulatory Commission on Tuesday. The new rates show an average increase of 14 per cent with an 8 per cent increase in energy charges for domestic consumers, 19 per cent for non-domestic consumers, 22 per cent for small industries and 17 per cent for heavy industries.

Rural domestic consumers have been spared any increase. The tariff for them has been retained at the existing level of Rs.110 per connection in the un-metered category and Rs.15 per kilowatt per month as fixed charges and Re.1 per unit as energy charges in the metered category.

The new power rates were announced by the Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, Vijay Kumar, at a press conference here. According to Mr. Kumar, the new rates are likely to be introduced from this coming May 1.

Lifeline consumers in the domestic category having a load of one kilowatt will have to pay at the existing rate of Rs.1.90 per unit for consuming up to 100 units of electricity per month. However, their consumption limit in a month has now been enhanced to 150 units per month and they would have to pay at the rate of Rs.2.50 for consuming power above 100 units and up to 150 units.

Two consumption slabs have been introduced by the Commission for other domestic consumers in the metered category. For energy consumption up to 200 units per month the charges will remain the same at Rs 3.00 per unit but for above 200 units the energy charge has been proposed at Rs.3.30. The minimum fixed charges for domestic consumers has been increased from Rs.50 per Kw per month to Rs.60 per Kw per month. Energy rates and fixed charges have also been raised for the non-domestic consumers in the urban centres. So far they were required to pay Rs.90 per kilowatt per month as fixed charges, Rs.3.90 per unit as energy charges and a minimum charge of Rs.260 per Kw per month. Following the new tariff proposals, the commercial consumers will now have to pay Rs.100 per Kw per month as fixed charge, Rs. 4.30 per unit as energy charge, and Rs.300 per Kw per month as minimum charge.

The UPERC Chairman said additional charge would be levied on air-conditioners at the flat rate of Rs.150 per tonne of actual AC load.

To discourage consumption of electricity for commercial advertisement, the Commission has proposed a higher energy charge of Rs.10 per unit on commercial hoardings on roadside.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Steep hike in UP power rates proposed; rural consumers spared

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu