Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune press service
Chandigarh, May 28
In view of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Punjab government led by Capt Amarinder Singh has announced a reduction of 50 paise to Re 1 per unit for the state’s domestic electricity consumers.
The tariff for commercial consumers and small and medium industry will remain unchanged, while there is a negligible (less than 2 percent) tariff increase for large industrial consumers.
The unit tariff for domestic consumers with a load up to 2 kW and consumption slabs of 0 to 100 units and 101 to 300 units has been reduced by Re 1 and 50 paise, respectively.
For domestic consumers with a load between 2 kW and up to 7 kW and for consumption tiles of 0 to 100 units and 101 to 300 units, the tariffs have been reduced by 75 paise and 50 paise, respectively.
This will translate into financial relief to the tune of Rs 682 crore for these consumers. The new tariff decree, announced by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), will be applicable from June 1 to March 3, 2022, commission chairman Vishwajit Khanna told The Tribune.
The previous year’s tariff, which was delayed due to last year’s lockdown, will remain in effect until the end of May now.
Another relief for the industry, the special night rate was authorized this year, if these consumers exclusively use electricity between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The facility granted to industry, allowing them to use electricity for four additional hours between 6 am and 10 am throughout the year at the normal rate.
Industry has been offered reduced energy charges for energy consumption exceeding the threshold limit. The committee decided to continue its policy of encouraging industry to promote the productive use of surplus electricity by offering a lower energy tariff of Rs 4.86 / kVAh for electricity consumption exceeding the limit threshold.
