The recent hike in power tariff in the UT with retrospective effect from April 1, has drawn flak from various quarters, including political leaders, here on Saturday.
AIADMK Puducherry unit secretary A Anbazhgan slammed the government for the hike and said that the hike showed that the government was inconsiderate towards its people.
“The public have been reeling under the weight of price hike of various essential commodities. Central government has allowed the petroleum companies to increase their product prices without any regulation. Now, the State government is adding to their woes by introducing a steep hike of more than 50 per cent in power tariff. The hike should be rolled back,” Anbazhagan said.
Anbazhagan said that the government should have taken steps to get the arrears from the industries than adding to the burden of common man.
The new tarriff hike orders were issued by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the State of Goa and Union Territories on April 10, after the electricity department filed an aggregate revenue requirement and tariff petition for retail sale of power, for the year 2013-2014.
DMK Puducherry unit convenor Dr M A S Subramanian condemned the N Rangasamy-led government’s hike announcement and demanded that the government withdraw it with immediate effect.
Congress leader A V Veeraraagavan said that ever since the AINRC government came at the helm, the power tariff had been increased four times. .
Devika, a resident of Ellaipillaichavady, said that hike had left the common people “helpless”. The hike would make it difficult for common people to make both ends meet, she said.
However, a top electricity department official on condition of anonymity said that the hike was necessitated after the purchase cost underwent an increase.
“We have been approaching the JERC for a hike from 2009. Its only now that it has finally materialised,” he said and added that the power tariff in Puducherry was lesser than that of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Domestic consumers will have to pay a minimum of 40 paise per unit, and a maximum of Rs 1.15 per unit according to the new consumption slab. The tariff for consumers using up to 100 units per month has been raised to Rs 1 per unit from the current 60 paise per unit.
The consumption slab between 101 and 200 units per month will cost Rs 1.50 as against the earlier 95 paise per unit, and for slab between 201 and 300 units, per unit charge has been raised to Rs 2.80 per unit against earlier Rs 1.80 per unit. Consumption above 300 units will cost `3.50 per unit against earlier Rs 2.35.
For commercial users, the tariff has been hiked to Rs 3.50 per unit from the current Rs 2.50 up to 100 units.
For slab between 101 units and 250 units, the tariff will be Rs 4.50 (current `3.70) and the slab above 250 units will cost Rs 5 per unit against earlier Rs 4.30 per unit.
The consumers of cottage industries, poultry, horticulture and pisciculture have been categorised under domestic consumption slab.