The people of Uttarakhand would have to pay more for consuming electricity from April 1 with the rates under various categories like domestic, commercial and industrial being increased by an average of 5.72 per cent.

Notably, the electricity rate was hiked by an average of 0.72 per cent more than that of last year.

However, there is no hike in power rate for the BPl category people as per the announcement made by Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Under the new power tariff, the domestic consumers will have to pay Rs2.55 in place of Rs2.45 for 0 to 100 units power consumption while Rs3.30 from Rs3.10 for power consumption ranging from 101 to 200 units; Rs4.50 from Rs4.10 for power consumption ranging from 201 to 300 units, Rs4.50 from Rs4.10 for power consumption ranging from 301 to 400 units; Rs5.10 from 4.50 for power consumption ranging from 401 to 500 units and above.

Moreover, the fixed charge has been hiked from Rs5 to Rs35 per month under various categories as from Rs40 to Rs45 for 100 units while from Rs60 to Rs 70 till 200 units, from Rs85 to Rs110 till 300 units, from Rs110 to Rs135 till 400 units and Rs150 to Rs180 till 500 units and from Rs175 to Rs210 above 500 units. However, the BPl card holders will have to pay Rs1.50 per unit for power consumption.

While declaring the new rate (terrific) of electricity Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman Subhash Kumar said that Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited had proposed hike of 13.48 per cent in electricity rate on account of various new investments.

After analysing all the relevant aspects of UPCl proposals, UERC has finally decided to increase the electricity rate by 5.72 per cent.