Power tariff to be hiked

Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company (TSSPDCL) and Telangana State Northern Power Distribution Company (TSNPDCL) have proposed a tariff hike from April 1 for consumers with a monthly consumption of over 100 units. The two companies which submitted their annual revenue requirement (ARR) to Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission, indicated that the overall burden proposed would be Rs 1,958 crore, a 9.14 per cent increase as compared to the existing tariff. At present, consumers are paying Rs 1.45 per unit for up to 50 units and Rs 2.60 a unit for 51-100 units. There is no proposal to hike tariff for up to 100 units of consumption. There is a proposal to increase tariff rate from Rs 2.60 to Rs 3.25 a unit, a hike of 65 paise, for those consuming 101-200 units. Tariff is proposed at Rs 4.25 a unit against the existing Rs 3.60 per unit, an increase of 65 paise, for the consumption of 201-400 units. Above 400 units, the hike will be of Re 1. The proposed average power tariff hike per unit is 42 paise. However, consumers using less than 100 units per month have been spared from the tariff hike. "The regulator will call for public opinion and take a decision on the tariff hike. The entire process would take 30 to 40 days," a senior official of the TSSPDCL said. ARR for 2016-17 is Rs 30,207 crore while the projected revenue from the current tariff is Rs 21,418 crore leaving revenue deficit at Rs 8,789 crore, the discoms said.