The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a proposal by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) to increase the power tariff in the state.
According to the proposal, domestic users will now have to shell out 0.25 paise more for every unit of electricity they consume above 200 units. The new tariff will be effective from April 1.
Meanwhile, the people living in snow-bound districts and the BPL families using up to 100 units of electricity per month have been exempted from the recent power tariff hike. They can continue to pay their electric bills at the old rate. Similarly, small non-domestic consumers using up to 50 units per month would also not need to pay according to the revised tariff rate.
Besides, people paying their electricity bills digitally will be given a rebate of 1.25% of their monthly bill. Those paying electricity dues through cheques, demand drafts, and other bank instruments will be given a rebate of 0.75% of their monthly bills.
UPCL officials have claimed that the hike was necessary to meet its power purchase cost and other expenses. UPCL had projected a revenue gap of Rs 952 crore during the FY 2019-20. The hike in power tariffs is believed to cover a major portion of the revenue gaps
