Bengaluru: Get ready to pay more for your electricity from next month. Stopped by the election model code of conduct, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has announced a tariff increase of 33 paise per unit and effective retrospectively from April 1.

The tariff revision was put off owing to polls to the Lok Sabha and 61 urban local bodies. All electricity supply companies (ESCOMS) across the State had sought hikes ranging between Re. 1 to Rs. 1.65 per unit of electricity.

They cited increased costs of power purchase as well as an uncertain market for power supply as the reasons for the proposed hike.

The power tariff order is an annual process and ESCOMS had submitted their request for hikes in December last year. Following this, the KERC held state-wide public hearings where several people objected to the proposal. Around nine public hearings were held by the KERC before the election code of conduct was enforced.