K’taka: Power tariff likely to shock consumers as Escoms propose fresh hikes

Bengaluru: Electricity consumers in Karnataka may get another shocker once the Legislative Council polls conclude. The process for deciding electricity tariff will be underway soon after the polls, sources said.

It is gathered that Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Authority (KERC), which regulates power tariffs in the state, has received a fresh proposal for a rate hike from all Escoms (electricity supply companies). The average rate hike demanded by them is about Rs 1.58 per unit. The distribution companies have claimed that they face financial losses if the prices aren’t hiked soon, sources said.

In the past year alone, KERC had raised the power tariff thrice on account of an increase in fuel cost. From November 2020, power became dearer by 40 paise per unit in the state. A couple of months later, the prices were hiked marginally again in January 2021. The prices were raised again on July 10 this year by 30 paise per unit. These were retrospectively applied from April 1, 2021. All considered, people now pay 78 paise per unit more than they did only a year ago.

According to sources, consumers can expect higher bills from April 1, 2022. If all goes according to plans, the process for raising objections to the hike demanded by the Escoms will be held next month. Thereafter, KERC is expected to notify its final order for the price hike in February or March, sources said.