GUWAHATI: Many electricity consumers in Guwahati were upset last month with the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) as the electricity bills they received were inflated. They complained that there was a huge variation from the bills they usually receive during summers. Prominent citizens of Guwahati were seen complaining about the bills they received last month on the social media. The issue further escalated and it became an uproar resulting in government intervention.
It needs to be mentioned that there was a hike of 30 paise per unit for three months. The APDCL had issued a notice mentioning that for fuel and power purchase price adjustment at 30 paise per unit was levied to all category consumers for next three months with effect from September 2022 (energy consumed during August 2022) to November 2022 (energy consumed during October 2022). The notice said that any adjustment regarding short/excess recovery due to seasonal variation of consumption within the stipulated period will be adjusted in subsequent periods or as may be directed by Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission.
In order to protect consumers from a price increase in the fiscal year 2022–2023 and avoid raising rates, the Assam Cabinet decided on Friday to extend a power purchase subsidy of ₹190 crore to the state-owned utility.
The cabinet approved the proposal to give the subsidy to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) during the cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Also, State Minister Jayantamalla Baruah told reporters after the meeting that the 24-MW Karbi Langpi Middle II Hydro Project, valued at ₹300.07 crore, was also approved in an effort to increase electricity production.
Baruah said that the project will assist Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd (APGCL) in meeting the state's rising electricity demand and is anticipated to be completed within 36 months of its start date.