On Monday, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will begin public hearings related to the tariff revision petitions filed by various Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOM). The entire process is expected to take 10 days after which the KERC will announce a tariff order sometime next month.
This year, ESCOMs are seeking a 66 paise hike in tariffs. In its previous order, the KERC had hiked rates by an average of 20 paise for domestic consumers last year when the ESCOMs had asked for a 70 paise hike. This year, according to officials, more than 2,700 objections have been received from members of the public against the tariff revision petition.
The petitions were filed in December last year after the deadline was extended by the KERC. The tariff hearing is an annual exercise which was delayed in 2014 due to Lok Sabha elections and in 2013 due to state elections. In their tariff revision petitions, ESCOMs have estimated energy supply at 62,959 Million Units in the current financial year as against 61,075 Million Units for the previous one.
Members of the KERC will hear public objections to the tariff revision on Monday at the KERC office in Mahalaxmi Chambers, MG Road from 11 am for BESCOM and 3 pm for KPTCL.
Current Prices for Electricity
Domestic: Urban areas: `2.50/unit upto 30 units, `3.70/unit between 31 and 100 units, `4.85/unit between 101 and 200 units and `5.85/unit for consumption beyond 200 units per month.
Rural areas: `2.40/unit upto 30 units, `3.40/unit between 31 and 100 units, `4.55/unit between 101 and 200 units and `5.35/unit for consumption beyond 200 units per month. Residential apartments under the High Tension category are paying `4.90/unit of electricity.