The State power regulator on Thursday approved an overall increase of 16.48 per cent in average tariff charged by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd.

The revised tariff — that has come into effect retrospectively from August 1— would affect over two crore power consumers in Maharashtra.

“The Commission has approved an overall increase in average tariff of 16.48 per cent against 17.68 per cent sought by MSEDCL,” the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) said in its order.

“The increase in tariff is primarily on account of rise in power purchase expenses, which have gone up primarily due to rise in fuel prices,” MERC said.

Revised order

MSEDCL, the State power distribution firm, had filed a petition before the Commission seeking approval for average revenue requirement (ARR) for FY’13 of Rs 50,750 crore. MERC, however, has approved ARR of Rs 48,926 crore.

As per the revised tariff order, MERC has increased the fixed charge for below poverty line consumers from Rs 3 a month to Rs 10 while reducing the energy charge from 0.89 paise to 0.76 paise a unit.

For domestic consumers under the category 0-100 units and 100-300 units, the tariff has been revised to Rs 3.36 per unit from Rs 2.82 and from Rs 5 to Rs 6.05, respectively.

For residential consumers under the category of 301-500 units and 501-1,000 units, the tariff has been revised from Rs 7.15 per unit to Rs 7.92 and from Rs 8.29 to Rs 8.78, respectively.

The MERC has also approved an increase in fixed charge for single phase payable by the residential consumers from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per month, while for three phase, it has been revised to Rs 130 against Rs 100 per month.

For consumption above 1,000 units, the tariff has been increased from Rs 8.55 to Rs 9.50 per unit.

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