Karnataka raises power tariff day after assembly byelection

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) announced an increase in power tariff by 40 paise per unit. Electrical supply companies (Escoms) were demanding for an average increase of 17.26 per cent where the latest addition will cause an average increase of 5.4 per cent. New digits will come into effect on billing date November 1 onwards.

Bangalore Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Bescom) proposed an average tariff increase of 196 paise/unit against KERC approved changes. "We agree that consumers are utilising less power due to the pandemic, but we need to carry out regular maintenance of thermal plants and honour our prior power purchase agreements. Therefore, the KERC must allow us to increase our power tariff by more than 25 per cent," the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company appealed in its petition. While Escoms has demanded an increase in power tariffs to meet the maintenance cost and overhead costs during the time of pandemic.

KERC allowed an average increase in fixed charges of Rs 10/KW/HP/KVA for all categories and Rs 15 for the temporary category. Renewed charges were announced by KERC Chairman Shambhu Dayal Meena during a virtual interaction with the heads of all Escoms and the Hukkeri Rural Electric Cooperative Society (RECS).