Power bills to reduce from April 1

Lokmat News Network

Nagpur, Mar 2

The consumers will get some relief from costly power bills, as the state will not increase power tariff this year due to multi-year tariff system as per the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). The power bills will infact reduce for all domestic consumers across categories. Mahavitaran has also not challenged the decision and hence the electricity tariff will reduce from April 1.

The MERC has given its nod to multi-year tariff system on March 31, 2020 from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025. The tariffs were increased in year 2020-21. The electricity got expensive, as fixed charges were increased by 22 per cent, but reduced for 2021-22. This is probably for the first time in last 2-3 decades, that the power tariff has come down.

Increase in fixed charges

The power tariff will not increase, despite the increase in fixed charges. According to MERC directives for the year 2020-21 the fixed charge has increased from Rs 110 to Rs 112 across categories. For commercial establishments, the rates have increased from Rs 403 to Rs 415, but for 3 phase connection for home, the charges have been kept unchanged at Rs 350.

Bill of Rs 2,377 will

reduce to Rs 2,338

Lokmat Times has tried to interpret the future tariff, which will be applicable to consumers. Now for 300 units, instead of Rs 2,377, the consumer will have to pay Rs 2,338. In the same manner for 30 units, instead of Rs 257.30, it would be Rs 256.60 and for 100 units instead of Rs 601, it would be Rs 594 and for 1000 units instead of Rs 11,311 it would be Rs 11,286.

Domestic electricity tariffs now

Category 2020- 21 2021- 22 Difference

0- 100 Rs 4.91 Rs 4.82 9 paise

101- 300 Rs 8.88 Rs 8.72 16 paise

301 -500 Rs 11.77 Rs 11.74 3 paise

501 - 1000 Rs 13.16 Rs 13.20 4 paise

1,000 & above Rs13.16 Rs 13.20 4 paise

Note: Fixed charge will be Rs110