In Karnataka, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), an autonomous body is entrusted with the fixing the power tariff. This commission is presently headed by Shambhu Dayal Meena, a retired senior IAS officer.
The revised power tariff is applicable from April 1st itself. This means, in the power bill of June, the consumers need to pay the adjustment amount of April and May.
KERC increased the power tariff across the board. The new power tariff has been decided by the KERC after a public consultation in the headquarters of all the ESCOMS or electricity supply companies. Click here to know more about the power tariff hike
ESCOMS In Karnataka
In Karnataka, the power production is entrusted to the KPTCL while ESCOMS are entrusted with the responsibility of power distribution. Presently five ESCOMS are engaged in the power distribution:
- Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM)
- Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESCMYSURU)
- Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (GESCOM)
- Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM)
- Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM)
All these five ESCOMS had sought power tariff increase separately.
Power Tariff Revision In Karnataka – Highlights
The KERC increased both base rate as well as the power tariff per unit. The KERC allowed the ESCOMS to increase the power tariff by 33 paise per unit. This includes 22 paise of consumption energy charge and 11 paise of fixed charge.
Highlights of the new tariff plan approved by the KERC include:
- KERC reduced the number of slabs from the existing six to four.
- The increase between two slabs is 25 paisa per unit
- Fixed charge per KW increased from Rs. 50 to Rs. 60.
According to the new tariff proposal, the consumers are eligible for a subsidy ranging from Rs.1 to Rs.2 per unit if they utilize the power in the nonpeak hour.
The Power Tariff Revision In Karnataka
- Up to 30 units: increase from Rs.3.50 to Rs.3.7
- 31 to 100 units: increase from Rs. 4.95 to Rs.5.20
- 101 to 200 units: increase from Rs. 6.50 to Rs.6.75
- 201 to 300 units: increase from Rs. 7.55 to Rs. 7.80
- 301 to 400 units: increase from Rs. 7.60 to Rs. 7.80
- Above 401 units: increase from Rs. 7.65 to Rs.7.80
According to an estimation, the domestic power bill expected to go up by around 6% following the implementation of the new tariff plan. The KERC also proposed a number of changes for industrial and commercial users. It also proposed incentives for the electric vehicle recharging and railway use.
