Power costlier in Haryana

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 19

Electricity consumers in Haryana will have to pay more now. The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) today ordered a hike in distribution and retail supply tariff to be charged by power distribution companies Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) for 2017-18.

The revised tariff, applicable with effect from July 1, will make electricity dearer by 25 to 50 paise per unit for domestic, non-domestic as well as industrial consumers.

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There will be no increase in rates for domestic consumers drawing up to 150 units per month. However, the rates for those consuming 151 to 250 units  have been raised from Rs 5 to Rs 5.25 per unit and for 251 to 500 units from Rs 6.05 to Rs 6.30 per unit.

For domestic consumers drawing 501 to 800 units and those with consumption of more than 801 units, the tariff has been raised from Rs 6.75 to Rs 7.10 per unit, a hike of 35 paise per unit.

For non-domestic consumers drawing power from low tension (LT) lines, tariff for those with up to 5-KW load and 5 to 20 KW has been increased by 30 paise from Rs 6.05 to Rs 6.35 per unit and from Rs 6.75 to Rs 7.05, respectively.

However, for a load of 20 to 50 KW and from 50 to 70 KW on LT lines and for a connected load of 50 KW or more from high tension (HT) lines, the tariff has been raised by 45 paise per unit.

For all categories of HT industrial consumers, HERC has allowed an across-the-board hike of 50 paise per unit. 

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UHBVN claimed that the hike will not have much effect on consumers, since the power utilities have already reduced fuel surcharge adjustment (FSA) on bills by 28 paise per unit from July 1 on HERC’s orders and a relief of 75 paise per unit on FSA has already been given from September last year.

Congress leader Sampat Singh, however, alleged that the order of the HERC was against the spirit of The Electricity Act 2003 since no opportunity was given to the public to file objections.