GUWAHATI: The power tariff may go up by 24 per cent in Assam from April 2020.
Speaking to G Plus Priyom Dutta, the Public Relation Officer of Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) said, "As of now we have proposed this hike and this will completely depend on the regulatory commission, whether it is for us or against us."
She further added that the APDCL is incurring losses and most of the power is being purchased from the neighbouring state hence the cost factor is more in terms of revenue. Thus, this proposal is being sent to bring out a balance.
It is to be mentioned that the tariff is completely decided by the regulatory commission and every year the company has to place a proposal on whether to hike the tariff or reduce the same.
Meanwhile on February 19, in a public hearing wherein both the parties- the public and representatives of APDCL discussed with regards to the hike in price of power tariff. After hearing both the parties, it’s now the regulatory commission which will take a call of the tariff rates.
According to reports, from the existing 7.25 kWh, power tariff in the domestic category may be hiked to 8.85 kWh.
Further, in the commercial category, the tariff may be hiked to 9.45 kWh from the existing 7.60 kWh. The increase in energy charge per unit, after finalisation, is going to be Rs 1.60 and Rs 1.85 for domestic and commercial category consumers respectively.
Regulatory Commission is likely to address the proposal by the end of March 2020 or early April 2020.