Assam: Chief Minister Himanta Denies Energy Cost Increase Amid New Tariff Rates
Himanta Biswa Sarma refutes reports of tariff hikes, but revised electricity charges for different consumption levels have been introduced.
GUWAHATI: On Sunday, Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, dismissed media reports suggesting an increase in energy costs as false. He asserted that the current tariff rates for up to 300 units of electricity consumption had remained unchanged.
However, a new tariff structure has indeed been introduced, with additional charges applicable for varying consumption levels. For consumption above 300 units and up to 500 units, consumers will incur an additional charge of 0.20 paise per unit. Meanwhile, consumers, particularly government offices, consuming more than 500 units will be subject to a charge of Rs 0.99 paise per unit. Commercial and other industrial consumers will face a charge of Rs 0.59 paise per unit, as per a notification issued by the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).
Interestingly, for smart pre-paid consumers, the Fuel and Power Purchase Price (FPPPA) for energy consumed during September 2023 will be distributed over 92 days as daily installments from October 1 to December 31, 2023, according to a top APDCL official.
The official clarified, "For pre-paid consumers, the FPPPA charge for the month of September 2023 against the unit consumed will be recovered in three months. We are not going to recover the amount in one day, but in 92 days."
These new FPPPA rates, determined by the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC), will be implemented from October 1, 2023, for energy consumed in September 2023. However, for conventional prepaid consumers, the FPPPA will be applied prospectively.
The notification also outlined that any adjustments related to short or excess recovery due to seasonal variations in consumption within the stipulated period would be made in subsequent periods or as directed by competent authorities.
It's noteworthy that an earlier notification from APDCL had specified a charge of 30 paise per unit for consumption up to 300 units. For consumption ranging from 301 to 500 units, a 50-paise increase per unit was introduced, while consumption exceeding 500 units incurred a significant increase of Rs 1.29 per unit.
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