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In the wake of widespread complaints of inflated power bills, Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on Wednesday proposed to make certain adjustments in power tariff structure, which may bring relief to a majority of consumers.
DERC has now proposed to revert to the original tariff structure, which will mean restoration of the slab for consumption between 201and 400 units, which was abolished by the regulator while effecting a 26 per cent hike in tariff for domestic consumers in June.
The abolition of the slab and introduction of 0-400 slab had resulted in a 33 per cent jump in electricity bills of majority of consumers, whose consumption exceeds 200 units.
The DERC has proposed to charge Rs 5.70 a unit for consumption between 201 and 400 units.
“We have proposed to restore the original slabs which will mean restoration of the slab for consumption between 201and 400 units and abolition of the new 0-400 slab,” DERC Chairman P.D Sudhakar said.
He said DERC will conduct a public hearing on the issue for seeking comments of the stakeholders on the proposal on October 8, following which a final decision will be taken. The regulator proposed to change in slab with retrospective effect from July 1 when hiked tariff came into effect.
According to the existing slab, if a consumer’s monthly consumption goes above 200 units then he is charged Rs 4.80 a unit for the entire consumption as against previous arrangement of different rates for first 200 units and the next 200 units.
A domestic consumer is now charged Rs 3.70 a unit for first 200 units of power instead of earlier Rs 3. Consumers having monthly usage of up to 400 units are charged Rs 4.80 a unit.
If the new proposal goes through, then consumers will be charged Rs 3.70 for first 200 units and then Rs 5.70 for consumption between 201 and 400 units.
Resident Welfare Associations have been strongly demanding restoration of the original slabs. MLAs cutting across party lines have also been demanding reverting to the original slab structure.
Sudhakar said the commission solicits participation of all stakeholders, including Delhi Government representatives, officials from private power distribution companies and RWAs to the public hearing.
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