As a major relief to consumers, the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has decided not to increase the power rates for 2020-21 following the outbreak of Covid-19.
Tariffs for different categories of consumers were released on Saturday without any increase. The tariffs will come into force on 1 June.
“The commission has considered it prudent not to hike the power rate because of problems faced by people due to the Covid-19 lockdown,” said executive director Pankaj Singh Kishtwaria.
The Commission has determined the aggregate revenue requirement of the State Electricity Board for 2020-21 as 5,384.14 crore.
In the case of lifeline consumers who consume between 0 and 60 units, the tariff will be limited to +1 with government subsidies of +2.30 per unit.
For others who consume between 61 and 125 units, the tariff shall be no more than 1.55 per unit with a subsidy of 2.40. For 126 to 300 units, customers will be paid 2,95 per unit and 1,90 per loan.
For the 301 units referred to above, the tariff will be set at 4.40 with government subsidies of 1.05.
For prepaid consumers, the rate per unit will be 2.95 per unit.
As a relief for new industries that will join production after June 1, energy charges will be 10 % lower than the authorized charges for three years. Energy charges will also be 10 % lower for current industries that have undergone expansion in 2018-19 or will undergo expansion in 2020-21.
