The levy of surcharge at 20 paise per unit of electricity consumed would be in force until December 31 in Kerala.

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has issued orders to this effect.

In this manner, the public utility Kerala State Electricity Board has been allowed to extend the tenure of the levy beyond October 31, as prescribed earlier.

The surcharge is being levied to make good the loss that the KSEB suffered in the purchase of electricity from the market.

>vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in