Power shocker for Punjab consumers as tariff goes up; know details
Chandigarh, May 15: Punjab power consumers are set to face a significant jolt as the average cost of power surges by 56 paise per unit, effective May 16. The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has given the green light to the new tariff, resulting in increased power rates for all consumer categories, including domestic, commercial, and industrial.
Multiple factors contribute to the tariff hike, including escalating coal prices, rising employee costs, and the natural inflationary rise in input expenses. The PSERC justifies the power rate increase as necessary to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਦਰਾਂ ਚ ਵਾਧੇ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਰਚਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇਵੇਗੀ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਆਮ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਤੇ ਕੋਈ ਬੋਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਵੇਗਾ…600 ਯੂਨਿਟ ਵਾਲੀ ਯੋਜਨਾ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਵੀ ਮੀਟਰ ਤੇ ਅਸਰ ਨਹੀ ਪਵੇਗਾ.. — Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) May 15, 2023
The impact of the new tariff will be keenly felt by power consumers across Punjab. Domestic users can expect an average monthly bill increase of Rs 100, while commercial and industrial consumers will experience even greater surges. This escalation in power rates will likely strain the budgets of households and businesses throughout Punjab.
ਜਲ਼ੰਧਰ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਜਿੱਤਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਸੁਗਾਤ ।
ਬਿਜਲੀ ਦੇ ਰੇਟਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੀਤਾ ਵਾਧਾ ।
ਪਾਵਰ ਕੰਪਨੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਹੋਏ ਐਗਰੀਮੈਂਟ ਕਦੋਂ ਕੈਂਸਲ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ ? pic.twitter.com/ZHmswrV9F1 — Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) May 15, 2023
Acknowledging the potential consequences of the tariff hike, the PSERC emphasizes its necessity for the PSPCL's long-term viability. The commission pledges to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action if required.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, the PSERC has determined an additional revenue requirement of Rs 3584.42 crore, leading to a 56 paise per unit increase over the average cost of supply in the previous fiscal year. Consequently, the projected net revenue to PSPCL from the revised tariff during FY 2023-24 is estimated at Rs 41,704.42 crore.
To address the growing demands on the utility, the Commission has approved a Capital Investment Plan of Rs 6,047.33 crore for PSPCL and Rs 3,264 crore for PSTCL during the 3rd MYT Control period, spanning from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26. These investments will be utilised to upgrade the distribution and transmission networks.
Furthermore, fixed charges for all consumer categories have been raised by Rs 15 per kilowatt. Additionally, the cost of power supplied to agricultural pump sets has risen from Rs 5.66 per unit to Rs 6.55 per unit, resulting in a substantial increase in the power subsidy bill of the state government. For the current year, the estimated subsidy bill stands at around Rs 20,400 crore.
- PTC NEWS
