Power tariff in Punjab increased by 12%
Vinod Kumar Gupta,
16-Jul-2012
Power tariff in Punjab increased by 12%

Monday July 16, 2012

Chandigarh

Punjab Electricity Regulatory Commission (PERC) has increased average power tariffs by 12.08 % for the financial year 2012-13 for the every sector in the state.

PSERC has increased the domestic tariff by 53 to 58 paise per unit. For the consumers using energy up to 300 units the tariff increase is 53 paise and 58 paise for those using above 300 units. The revised tariff for first 100 units is 409 paise per unit, for next 200 units tariff will be 549 paise per unit and 581 paise per unit for consumption above 300 units.

For agriculture pump sets tariff rise is 53 paise per unit i.e. from 365 paise to 418 paise per unit. The industrial consumers will also face increase of 53 to 58 paise per unit.

The arrears on account of tariff revision with effect from April 1, 2012 shall be recovered in suitable installments to be decided by PSPCL. Punjab Government has committed to pay subsidy to PSPCL in lieu of free power to SC and Non SC below poverty line consumers with connected load up to 1000 watts and free power to agriculture pump sets.

The total amount of Government subsidy for free supply to AP consumers is Rs.4787.07 crore. In addition, Govt. of Punjab has also committed to pay subsidy amounting to Rs.724 crore for free supply up to 200 units per month to SC Domestic consumers and Non-SC BPL Domestic consumers. Total amount of subsidy including arrears of Rs. 273.88 crore for the financial year 2011-12 payable by the Government works out to Rs. 5784.95 crore

PSERC has determined the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of the PSPCL as Rs.17035.85 crore against Rs.20415.52 crore projected by PSPCL.

To meet the revenue gap of Rs.1899.32 crore for the year 2012-13, an increase of 12.08% is required across the board. The combined average cost of supply has been worked out 538.66 paise/unit against 464.93 paise/unit for the last year.

The Commission has also approved a Capital Investment Plan of Rs. 1100 crore for PSTCL and Rs. 2800 crore for PSPCL so that infrastructure is strengthened which would improve quality of service to the consumers of the State