UPPRC hikes tariff, rural remains untouched

Lucknow, Apr 15 (UNI) After a gap of four years, the Uttar Pradesh Power Regulatory Commission (UPPRC) today announced to hike tariff at an average of 14 per cent barring any increament for the rural.

UPPRC chairmain Bijoy Kumar here said '' 8 per cent hike has been made for domestic consumers, 19 per cent for commercial usage, 22 per cent for small industries and 17 per cent for heavy industries in the state.'' However, no hike has been done for the rural, including rural domestic and private tubewell, he informed.

UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) had demanded an average tariff hike of 25 per cent to meet their costs, but the commission has only increased 14 per cent, Mr Kumar added.

UPPCL will get additional revenue of Rs 1,839.30 crore with this hike, which is applicabe likely from the next month, he said.

As per the new tariff rate, the domestic consumers will now pay Rs 3.30 per unit after 200 units of consumption against the earlier Rs 3 per unit for any consumption. The domestic consumers will now pay Rs 10 extra for each kilowatt of the fixed charge per month.

The UPPRC has also decided to charge additional flat rate of Rs 150 per ton for usage of air conditoners during the summer season, Mr Kumar informed.

Similarly, for hoardings one has to pay Rs 10 per unit against the earlier Rs 4.30 per unit.

For rural commercial unmetered, the rate has been increased to Rs 180 per month against the earlier rate of Rs 160 per month.

Whereas, for metered, fixed rate of Rs 20 per kilowatt per month has been increased to Rs 50 per kilowatt per month. Rs 1.30 per unit charge on it has been hiked to Rs 1.90, UPPRC chairman revealed.

For Urban commercial, the consumers would pay fixed charge of Rs 100 per kilowatt per month that was earlier Rs 90. The unit charge on it is now Rs 4.30 against Rs 3.90 and minimum fixed charge of Rs 260 has been increased to Rs 300, he added.

UNI MB JAS KN RL VC1828