Power tariff goes up in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: A hefty increase of about 24 per cent in power tariff has been slapped on domestic consumers of electricity in Kerala with effect from August 16.

The orders issued by Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission Thursday said there would be an average increase of 8.5 per cent tariff for power consumption for all categories of consumers to mobilise an additional revenue of Rs 1027 crore for the Kerala State Electricity Board.

For domestic consumers only, the hike is, however, about 24 per cent, according to the Commission.

There was no change in the power tariff of Rs.1.50 paise for consumption of power upto 40 units but this has been limited to BPL category families.

Other domestic consumers would have to pay Rs.2.80 upto 50 units and the present slab system would continue with minor changes upto consumption of 250 units per month, a release said here today.

Domestic consumers who consume more than 250 units would have to pay Rs.5 per unit for each unit and Rs.5.70 per unit for those who consume more than 300 units.

The highest rate for domestic consumers was Rs.7.50 per unit for those consuming more than 500 units per month.

In the case of high tension consumers, tariff hike would be around 10 per cent, the release added.

Though the KSEB had proposed tariff revision to collect an additional revenue of Rs.1414 crore, the Commission sanctioned only the revision of Rs.1027 crore.

The revised rates:
0-40 units - Rs 1.50
0-50 units - Rs 2.80
51-100 units - Rs 3.20
101-150 units - Rs 4
151-200 units - Rs 5.50
201-250 units - Rs 6.75