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The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has invited objections from the city residents regarding the proposal of the UT electricity department for hike of 21 Percent in the existing tariff. The residents have to submit their objections with the commission before February 17.

The electricity department has proposed hike in different slabs of domestic and commercial categories. The proposal was submitted before the commission on January 21 and the administration could implement the new rates only after getting the approval from the commission. The administration had last increased the tariff in April 2012.

In the domestic category, the electricity department has proposed a hike from INR 2.30 to Rs. 2.78 in the slab of 0-150 units, while in the slab of 151-400 units, increase from INR 4.20 to INR 4.60 has been proposed.

In the commercial category, INR 4.30 to INR 4.70 in the slab between 0-150, INR 4.50 to INR 5.30 in the slab of 151-400 and INR 4.70 to INR 5.70 in slab above 400 units has been proposed. Though the electricity department submitted the proposal, the chances of hike are bleak as the department has failed to get a commercial audit of its accounts done as desired by the commission.

The JERC had turned down the proposal submitted by the department for enhancement in tariff in the current financial year on the grounds that it had not submitted accounts based on commercial accounting principles, which is mandatory as per the JERC Tariff Regulations, 2009.

Apart from the proposed revision in tariff for the next financial year, the electricity department has proposed creation of separate category as single point supply (SPS) exclusively for unauthorised colonies or slum dwellers outside lal dora. The department has also proposed introduction of fixed charges in domestic category, increase of fixed charges of other categories and introduction of power factor surcharges for all consumers.

Source-On Request