Get ready to shell out more money for electricity in Chandigarh. For, the UT Administration has proposed upto 52 per cent hike in power tariff for domestic consumers in the city.

The UT Administration has filed its annual revenue requirement projections with the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), proposing a steep power tariff hike for the next financial year 2013-14.

This would be the third consecutive hike in power tariff in Chandigarh in the past three years. And, the upcoming summer is likely to give a bigger jolt to the residents in terms of their electricity bills.

As per the proposed hike for domestic consumption, the power tariff for up to 150 units would be increased from existing Rs2.30 to Rs3.50. For the consumption of 150-400 units and electricity above 400 units, an increase of 23 per cent and 36 per cent respectively has been suggested.

At present, the domestic consumers are paying Rs4.20 for 150-400 units and Rs4.40 for using above 400 units of electricity. The monthly fixed charges of Rs25 per KW for domestic consumers have also been proposed by the Administration.

 The Administration has also submitted hike in power tariff in categories including non residential areas, medium and small industries among others.

For non-domestic consumers, a hike of upto 48 percent has been proposed. The charges of Rs 5 from existing Rs 4.30 for 0-150 units, Rs 6.25 from current Rs 4.50 for 150-400 units and Rs 7 from existing tariff of Rs 4.70 for above 400 units has been suggested by the UT Administration.

The UT Electricity Department has proposed to cover the revenue shortfall of Rs 340 crore through additional revenue from the proposed tariff revision.

“Projecting the total revenue gap of Rs 340 crore, the UT Administration has requested the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) a power tariff hike by upto 52 percent in the city,” said MP Singh, superintending engineer, UT Electricity wing while talking to The Pioneer.

He said, “An expenditure of Rs 1051 crore on power for the next financial year 2013-14 is projected in Chandigarh. Hence, a hike in power tariff to cover the revenue losses has been proposed.”

last year, the city had witnessed hike in power tariff by upto 15 percent for domestic consumers and others in the month of May.

In 2011, the city residents had faced brunt of hike in power tariff by upto 31 percent in Chandigarh. Before 2011, the hike in power tariff was witnessed in the year 2005 here.