Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has permitted four state-owned Distribution Companies(DISCOMs) to raise their power tariff by 13 paise per unit. GERC has granted 15 paisa a unit increase in tariff rates for Torrent Power Limited (TPL). This will effect on, residential consumer will now have to pay 0.53 per cent more on the bill every year, while nonresidential consumer will face an increase of 2.76 per cent. The hike is applicale to all DISCOM consumers except farmers, those living below poverty line (BPL) and those consuming electricity up to 200 units per month.
According to officers, the hike in tariff will put an additional burden to the tune of Rs 780.90 crore on the four DISCOMs— Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (UGVCL), Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL), Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL) and Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL). Furthermore, demand charge for night time usage of electricity at high tension voltage level has been cut from 1/2 to 1/3rd of normal high tension consumers.
Overall increase for all the other categories of customers is 13 paise per unit. This 2.47 per cent tariff hike includes increase in fixed and demand charge and energy charge. There’s no increase in fixed charge of single-phase residential consumers. However, there is an increase in fixed charges by Rs 5 per month per installation for three-phase residential consumers. The four companies had filed a petition before GERC, seeking increase in tariff. The commission held public hearing on February 11 and 13 and issued its order on March 31, 2015. The revised tariff is applicable from April 1.
