All Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association (AAECA) oppose additional fuel charges

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association (AAECA) has opposed the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd.) levying additional charges at the rates of Rs 0.30 for LT (low tension) Jeevan Dhara and LT domestic consumers and Rs 0.70 for all other categories for three months: May, June, and July.

The APDCL is charging the additional levy in terms of the AERC (Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment) Regulations, 2010, Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPPA).

The AAECA said that APDCL is charging an additional levy as a fuel charge at a time when oil prices have fallen in the international market and India is purchasing oil from Russia at a controlled rate. The association said it goes against the interests of power consumers. The Association said that Section 61(C) of the Electricity Act, 2023, gives priority to the interests of power consumers. "However, ignoring this section of the Act, APDCL followed Section 62 (4) of the Act and imposed the additional fuel charges. The power distribution company imposes additional charges almost throughout the year barring a few months," the association said in a statement, adding, "It is no less than looting."

After the levy, Jeevan Dhara consumers, who had to pay Rs 4.05 per unit after deduction of the subsidy as energy charges, will now pay Rs 4.35 per unit.

Domestic consumers consuming 0-120 units per month, who had to pay Rs 4.95 per unit after the deduction of subsidy, will now pay Rs 5.25 per unit after the levy of Rs 0.30 per unit.

Likewise, domestic consumers consuming 121–240 units per month, who had to pay Rs 7 per unit (such consumers do not get any subsidy), will now pay Rs 7.30 per unit after the levy.

Domestic consumers consuming 241 units per month and above had to pay Rs 7.90 per unit earlier. Such consumers will have to pay Rs. 8.25 per unit after the levy.

Consumers in other categories will have to pay an additional amount of Rs 0.70 per unit along with the existing energy charge.

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