Assam: Consumers’ body opposes APDCL’s time-of-day power tariff proposal

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Electricity Consumers' Association (AAECA) has opposed APDCL's proposal for categorization of power tariff as 'night' from midnight to 6 am, 'solar' from 6 am to 5 pm, and 'peak hours' from 5 pm to midnight. The consumers' body has termed this time-of-day categorization of power tariffs as anti-people.

AAECA convener Ajoy Acharjee said, "The Chief Minister assured the consumers of deducting power tariff from April this year. However, the time-of-day categorization of power tariffs for the year 2025-26 tells a different story. Even though the proposal hasn't said anything about the hike in power tariff, this proposal, if accepted, will result in an increase in power tariff in a spiral way. The common consumers use more electricity from 5 pm to midnight. The APDCL has taken this period as the peak hour with the maximum tariff of Rs 9.62 per unit. This will fleece the consumers. The power market should not be treated as a product since it is the driving force of modern civilization. As of now, many government services have been privatized. It has led to price fixation based on the market demand, and APDCL has chosen the same course. This is a conspiracy to treat power as a profit-based product, instead of a service. The features of revenue from power need to be kept intact. We urge APDCL to cancel its time-of-day power tariff proposal, besides doing away with smart meters."

 Also Read: Assam: APDCL Mulling Changeover to Time-of-Day Tariff in FY 2025-26

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