By IANS
Raipur : Industries in mineral-rich Chhattisgarh state have got a surprise Diwali gift. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission brushed aside a tariff hike proposal of Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board (CSEB) and instead slashed them by 18 paise per unit for industries and five paise per unit for domestic consumers.
The new rates will be effective Nov 1, the foundation day of Chhattisgarh state.
The regulatory commission chairman, S.K. Mishra, announced the new tariffs late Monday. Industrial tariff is now down to Rs.3.72 from Rs.3.90 per unit. Industries have to however pay 30 percent higher per unit of electricity used during peak hours — between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Domestic consumers will pay Rs.1.60 per unit if monthly consumption is up to 200 units, Rs.1.95 per unit if consumption is up to 500 units and Rs.2.45 per unit if consumption is up to 700 units.
The reduction for domestic consumers was marginal as the new rate is lower by just five paise per unit.
For below poverty line families (BPL), the tariff remained unchanged at Rs.1.57 per unit. The state government pays the power bill of BPL families.
Industries have welcomed the decision but slammed the hike in tariffs during peak hours.
“We welcome the slashing of tariff for low voltage as well as for high voltage industrial consumers. But we are surprised by the 30 percent hike in tariff if industries consume power between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.,” Ashok Surana, chief of the Mini Steel Plant Association, told newsmen Tuesday.