Mysuru – Get ready to pay more for electricity as the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved an average 48 paise increase per unit in power tariff from Apr. 1, 2017 to Mar. 30, 2018. The tariff hike will come into retrospective effect from April 1, says a press release that has been released to media in Bengaluru this morning.

According to KERC Chairman M.K. Shankarlinge Gowda, the KERC has allowed an average tariff increase of 48 paise per unit (ranging from 20 paise 55 paise (for industries) per unit including Fuel Adjustment Charges (FAC) of 5 paise per unit) for all the categories of consumers.

The Commission has also allowed a marginal increase in fixed cost in the range of Rs. 5 to Rs. 20 per KW (kilo watt)/HP (horse power) /KVA (kilo volt ampere) on all the Low Tension and High Tension consumers.

DOMESTIC CONSUMERS (URBAN)

Urban consumers who use 30 units power per month will be charged Rs. 3.25 per unit instead of the earlier Rs. 3 per unit. From 31 units to 100 units it will be henceforth charged Rs. 4.70 per unit instead of Rs. 4.40 per unit. From 101 units to 200 units, consumers will pay Rs. 6.25 per unit instead of the earlier tariff of Rs. 5.90 per unit. From 200 units, the consumers have to pay Rs. 7.30 per unit instead of the earlier Rs. 6.90 per unit.

DOMESTIC CONSUMERS (RURAL)

Rural consumers who use 30 units power per month will be charged Rs. 3.15 per unit instead of the earlier Rs. 2.90 per unit. From 31 units to 100 units it will be henceforth charged Rs. 4.40 per unit instead of Rs. 4.10 per unit. From 101 units to 200 units, consumers will pay Rs. 5.95 per unit instead of the earlier tariff of Rs. 5.60 per unit. From 200 units, the consumers have to pay Rs. 6.80 per unit instead of the earlier Rs. 6.40 per unit.

INDUSTRIAL CONSUMERS

The tariff for Low Tension industrial consumers across the State has been increased by 10 to 20 paise per unit. The revised rates for Low Tension industrial units in Bengaluru and other Municipal Corporation areas in BESCOM (Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company) will be Rs. 5.25 per unit (existing rate of Rs. 5.10) for the first 500 units and Rs. 6.50 per unit (existing rate of Rs. 6.30) for consumption above 500 units.

MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AREAS

In Municipal Corporation areas of other electricity supply companies, the new rates will be Rs. 5.10 per unit (existing rate Rs. 4.95) for the first 500 units, Rs. 6.05 per unit (existing rate Rs. 5.85) for consumption from 501 to 1,000 units and Rs. 6.35 per unit (existing rate Rs. 6.15) for consumption above 1,000 units. In all other areas, the new rates will be Rs. 5.00 per unit (existing rate Rs. 4.85) for the first 500 units, Rs. 5.90 per unit (existing rate Rs.5.70) for consumption from 501 to 1,000 units and Rs. 6.20 per unit (existing rate Rs. 6.00) for consumption above 1,000 units.

LOW TENSION COMMERCIAL CATEGORY

For Low Tension commercial category, the increase in tariff is 35 paise per unit. The new tariff in urban areas including BBMP and other City Corporation areas will be Rs. 7.50 per unit (existing rate of Rs. 7.15) for the first 50 units and Rs. 8.50 per unit (existing rate of Rs. 8.15) for consumption beyond 50 units. In the rural areas, the new rates will be Rs. 7.00 per unit for the first 50 units and Rs. 8.00 per unit for consumption beyond 50 units.

HIGH TENSION COMMERCIAL CATEGORY

For the High Tension commercial users in BBMP and other City Municipal Corporation areas in BESCOM, the increase in tariff is 20 to 40 paise per unit. The new tariff will be Rs. 8.45 per unit (existing rate of Rs. 8.05) for the first two lakh units and Rs. 8.55 per unit (existing rate of Rs. 8.35) for consumption beyond two lakh units.

WATER SUPPLY AND PUBLIC LIGHTING

The Commission has increased the tariff for Low Tension water supply installations by 35 paise per unit from the existing rate of Rs. 3.90 per unit to Rs. 4.25 per unit. The rate for HT water supply installations is increased by 35 paise per unit from Rs. 4.50 per unit to Rs. 4.85 per unit.

SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND HOSPITALS

The Commission has increased the tariff for private educational institutions and private hospitals in the Low Tension category. The revised LT tariff in BBMP, Municipal Corporation areas and Urban Local Bodies area is fixed at Rs. 6.50 per unit (existing rate Rs. 6.25) for the first 200 units and Rs.7.75 per unit (existing rate Rs. 7.45) for consumption beyond 200 units.

In all other areas, the revised tariff is Rs. 5.95 per unit (existing rate Rs.5.70) for the first 200 units and Rs. 7.20 per unit (existing rate Rs .6.90) for consumption beyond 200 units. The revised High Tension tariff for Government hospitals and hospitals run by charitable institutions as well as educational institutions belonging to Government and aided institutions is Rs. 6.40 (existing rate Rs. 6.00) for the first one lakh units and Rs. 6.80 (existing rate Rs. 6.50) for consumption beyond one lakh units.

The revised High Tension tariff for private educational institutions and private hospitals is Rs. 7.40 per unit (existing rate Rs. 7.00) for the first one lakh units and Rs. 7.80 (existing rate Rs. 7.50) for consumption beyond one lakh units.