In a ‘shocking’ news for power consumers, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), has given its nod to Electricity Supply Companies (ESComs) for hiking power tariff. Citing rising fuel prices, the five ESComs (head quartered at Mysuru-CESC, Bengaluru-BESCom, Mangaluru-MESCom, Hubballi-HESCom and Kalaburagi-GESCom) of the State, in November last year, had sought the Electricity Regulatory Commission for hiking power tariff in order to make up for FAC (Fuel Adjustment Cess). Now, the KERC has given its approval for the hike, according to which CESC, MESCom and GESCom can hike power tariff by 5 paisa a unit, HESCom by 4 paisa a unit and BESCom by 8 paisa a unit.