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The revised tariff that has come into effect retrospectively, from August 1, would affect over two crore power consumers in Maharashtra. In a major shock to consumers of MSECDL, the state
power regulator today approved an overall increase of 16.48% in average tariff charged by the utility. The revised tariff that has come into effect retrospectively, from August 1, would
affect over two crore power consumers in Maharashtra. "The commission has approved an overall increase in average tariff of 16.48% against 17.68% sought by MSEDCL," Maharashtra
Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) said in its order today. "The increase in tariff is primarily on account of rise in power purchase expenses, which have gone up primarily due to
rise in fuel prices," MERC said. MSEDCL, the state power distribution firm, had filed a petition before the Commission seeking approval for average revenue requirement (ARR) for FY13
of Rs50,750 crore. MERC, however, has approved ARR of Rs48,926 crore. As per the revised tariff order, the MERC has increased the fixed charge for below poverty line consumers from Rs3 per
month to Rs10 while reducing the energy charge from 0.89 paise to 0.76 paise per unit. For domestic consumers under the category 0-100 units and 100-300 units, the tariff has been revised to
Rs3.36 per unit from Rs2.82 and from Rs5 to Rs6.05, respectively. For residential consumers under the category of 301-500 units and 501-1000 units, the tariff has been revised from Rs7.15
per unit to Rs7.92 and from Rs8.29 to Rs8.78, respectively. MERC has also approved an increase in fixed charge for single phase payable by the residential consumers from Rs30 to Rs40 per
month, while for three phase, it has been revised to Rs130 against Rs100 per month. For units consumed above 1,000 units, the tariff has been increased from Rs8.55 to Rs9.50 per unit. The
commission has approved an average 7% increase in tariff for non-domestic consumers from Rs9.15 to Rs9.78 per unit. However, the commission has introduced a provision under which all LT
commercial and LT industrial consumers consuming less than 300 unit per month would be allowed to avail tariff as per LT residential category. "This initiative will ensure hassle-free
power supply at affordable rates for people carrying out professional or small commercial activities out of their residential premises and small commercial and industrial units. This
provision will benefit about 3.5 lakhs consumers," the order said. Meanwhile, the commission has formed a new category called "Public Services" in both low tension and high
tension, which will be applicable for hospitals and educational institutes (irrespective of ownership), defence services establishments, police stations, post offices, fire service stations,
public libraries and reading rooms, courts, airports among others. The tariff for this new category has been fixed at Rs7.16 per unit. For the agriculture consumers with meters, the tariff
has been revised from Rs2.14 per unit to Rs2.33, while for those without meters, the new tariff will be Rs2.45 per unit against Rs2.22 now.