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The worst fears of power consumers have come true. The middle class and the rich class have received a rude shock in the form of new power tariff, which will come into force from April 1. Only the poorest of the poor are spared from the power tariff hike, that too if they consume only 50 units or below per month. Not only domestic consumers but also the industries, poultry, prawn farmers and cottage industries too are burden with heavy power tariff. No category of consumers, except farmers, are spared in the revised tariff.
The AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issued orders for the new power tariff for 2013-14. However, the ERC rejected the Discoms' proposal for non-telescopic billing. The ERC wanted to continue the existing telescopic billing for domestic consumers. But, this is only a minor relief for domestic consumers. There is a considerable hike in tariffs and slabs.
The Discoms' proposed a whopping Rs 12,700 crore additional burden on the consumers, the ERC approved only Rs 6,500 crore hike. As the telescopic billing system is continued, the burden is lessened on consumers. The ERC also refused the proposal of the Discoms for spending more on gas-based power plants with a hope that there will be sufficient rains this year. In such a case, there will be no need to spend more money gas-based power generation. This has reduced Rs 6,200 crore burden on consumers.
The domestic consumers who are charged in two categories LT1(A) and LT1(B) are reclassified. The six slabs under LT1(A), whose connected load was 500 MW are reduced to only one slab irrespective of their connected load. If the LT1(A) consumers, who are mostly the poor, consume more than 50 units in a month, will automatically converted into LT1(B) category to pay more power bills.
Under LT1(B) domestic category the present six slabs are now increased to nine slabs. The minimum charge under this category is increased from the present Rs 1.45 per unit to Rs 2.60 per unit. If the domestic consumers consume more than 500 units in a month the rate for the slab is Rs 8.38 per unit.
HIDDEN CHARGES: Besides, the steep hike in power tariff there will be more hidden charges in the monthly bills. The minimum energy charge for single phase consumers with connected load of 500 watts will be Rs 25 per month. If the contracted load in more than 500 watts, the minimum charge per month is Rs 50 for single phase consumers and Rs 150 per month for three-phase consumers. It means that if the consumer did not use any power in a month, still he/she should pay the minimum charges.
CUSTOMER CHARGES: Besides, minimum charges, the domestic consumers have to pay customer charges every month. If the consumption is less than 50 units the consumer charge will be Rs 25, if the consumption is between 51-100 units it will be Rs 30, for 101-200 units it will be Rs 35, for 201-300 units it will be Rs 40 and if the consumption is more than 300 units in a month the customer charge will be Rs 45 per month.
PENALTY: If the payment of power bill is delayed penalty will be levied. If consumer made payment after due date, the consumers are liable to pay Delayed Payment Surcharge (DPS) per month on the bill amount. For LT1(A) consumers the DPS is Rs 10 per month and for LT1(B) consumers it will be Rs 25.
RECONNECTION CHARGES: If the consumers failed to pay bill in time and the power is disconnected, the reconnection charges will be Rs 25 for LT1(A) and for all other domestic and LT consumers will have to pay Rs 75 for overhead services and Rs 200 for UG services.
Graphic
Domestic LT1(A): There are six slabs. From April 1 there is only one slab. If consumers under this category consume more than 50 units will be converted to LT1(B) category.
LT 1(A) new tariff old tariff
Up to 50 units Rs 1.45 Rs 1.45 (no change)
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LT1(B): There are currently six slabs. Which are increased to nine slabs now.
consumption new tariff old tariff
First 50 units Rs 2.60 0-50 units Rs 1.45
51-100 Rs 3.25 51-100 Rs 2.60
101-150 Rs 4.88 101-200 Rs 3.60
151-200 Rs 5.63 201-300 Rs 5.75
201-250 Rs 6.38 301-500 Rs 6.75
251-300 Rs 6.88 More than 500 units Rs 7.25
301-400 Rs 7.38
401-500 Rs 7.88
above 500 Rs 8.38
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The LT-2 (A) non-domestic commercial three slabs are reduced to one
If they consume more than 50 units, they will be converted into LT-2(B) consumers
LT-2(A) new tariff
up to 50 units Rs 5.40
LT-2(B) Under this category the two slabs are increased to six slabs
new old
Up to 50 units - Rs 6.63 0-100 units Rs 6.00
51-100 Rs 7.38 more than 100 units Rs 7.00
101-300 Rs 8.13
301-500 Rs 8.63
Above 500 Rs 9.13
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Advertisement hoarding new old
Rs 11.03 Rs 9.00
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Industries 6.08 5.00
Seasonal industries(off seasonal charges) 6.75 5.67
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Pisciculture, Prawn culture 4.63 2.12
Poultry 5.63 5.00
Railway traction 6.36 5.43
Cottage industries, dhobi ghats and others 3.75 2.67
ends
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