In a big relief for the consumers in the State, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Thursday announced that there would be no power tariff hike in 2018-19.
OERC Director (Regulatory Affairs) Priyabrat Patnaik told reporters, “The power tariff will remain unchanged for domestic consumers and commercial and industrial units for the year.”
Patnaik also informed that a one-per cent rebate would be provided besides the normal rebate if consumers pay their bills through online.
The tariff for domestic consumers having consumption up to 50 units has remained unchanged at Rs 2.50 paise per unit.
Various consumer forums and political parties had urged the OERC not to accept the proposals of power generation and distribution companies to increase power tariffs.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party State president Rabi Behera welcomed the decision of the OERC not to increase power tariffs. Besides, Behera demanded that unannounced power cuts be stopped and providing free power up to 200 units to the poor people and farmers.