Power consumers across segments — domestic, low tension and high tension industrial segments, in Andhra Pradesh are in for tariff hike from April 1.
Domestic consumption
The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) today approved the new tariff order which levies higher rates starting from domestic power consumers above 50 units a month where the tariff has been raised from Rs 2.60 a unit last year to Rs. 2.80 a unit.
Only those who consume less than 50 units a month have been spared. This category will pay Rs 1.45 a unit.
Industries
For industrial consumers, the tariff has been hiked from Rs 4.13 a unit last year to Rs 5 a unit.
Corporate farmers and IT assesses have been levied charges of Rs 2.50 a unit. The tariff for cottage industries too, depending upon the sector such s poultry farms, agro-based activity, now face higher tariffs.
While the distribution companies had raised a total demand of Rs 36,090 crore for 2012-2013, the regulator has allowed total revenue of Rs 34,343 crore. This includes the subsidy component of Rs 5,358 crore and Rs 28,985 crore for distribution companies from tariffs collected.
The increase in tariff goes against the promise made by the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy when he came back to power in 2009 that there would be no tariff hikes for next five years.
The order mentions that Fuel Surcharge Adjustment (FSA) is applicable to all categories.