Before the lok Sabha and Assembly polls later this year, Haryana Government on Thursday gave a major relief to power consumers by reducing tariff in the State.
The Bhupinder Singh Hooda Government rolled back tariff hike for consumption of up to 500 units by domestic consumers, power rate for farm sector was reduced by 60 per cent for current fiscal. The decision, which will cost Rs 600 crore per annum to the state exchequer, will benefit 38 lakh domestic consumers, which account for 95 per cent of total consumers, and 5.50 lakh agriculture consumers.
“Government has withdrawn the tariff increase made from April 2013 onward for domestic consumers consuming up to 500 units per month. Moreover, the Fuel Surcharge Adjustment (FSA) of financial year 2013-14 will also remain same,” Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said.
He said as a result of this decision, up to 1,000 units bi-monthly consumption will get the benefit of old slab system as well as reduction in tariff and FSA to the last year's level. The domestic sector power rate from April 1, 2013 were Rs 5.24, Rs 5.94 and Rs 6.32 per unit for those consuming up to 250 units, between 250 and 500 units and above 500 units respectively.
Giving relief to farm consumers, Hooda said tariff being charged to agriculture consumers has been reduced by 60 per cent in the state. “Now the agriculture consumer will have to pay 10 paise per unit (present rate 25 paise per unit) or Rs 15 per BHP per month,” he said.