Power becomes costlier by 9% in Punjab

Power users will have to shell out more in Punjab with the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) on Monday announcing average hike in power tariff by 9.19 per cent.

This is the second highest jump in last four years on all kinds of energy consumers in the state.

In addition, electricity consumers will also have to pay 8 paise per unit for metered category and Rs 5 per BHP per month for unmetered category (Agricultural pumpsets) on account of increase in fuel cost.

"There will be an increase in tariff rates by 37 paise per unit for all categories of consumers except small power users and second slab domestic supply (DS) whose increase will be 33 paise per unit and 36 paise per unit respectively. Monthly minimum charges will increase by 9.19 per cent," PSERC, Chairperson, Romila Dubey told reporters.

Notably, to meet the revenue gap of Rs 2,651.51 crore, there was a need to raise power tariff by 18.37 per cent.

"I did not want to pass on entire 18.37 per cent which would have been a big shock for consumers," she said.

According to new tariff order announced by PSERC, per unit cost of power for domestic consumers has been raised in the range of 7.13 to 11.90 per cent while for agriculture sector, per unit cost is raised by 11.56 per cent.

However, power cost for industrial users including small, medium and large has been increased in the range of 7.97 per cent and 8.08 per cent, which is much less as compared to domestic consumers.

Elections to the state assembly are due in February next year.