EPDCL targets 10% domestic consumers to hike power tariff

Visakhapatnam: Nearly 10% of about 45 lakh domestic consumers of Eastern Power Distribution Company of AP Limited (APEPDCL) will be affected due to the power tariff hike proposed by this discom for the ensuing fiscal 2016-17. Most of these consumers are those who use continuous electricity-hungry home appliances like ACs, microovens, carpet cleaners, washing machines and geysers.
The APEPDCL is expecting to rake in Rs 14.95 crore additional revenue from these consumers from the new fiscal by increasing the power tariff.
All these consumers come under Group C category. Based on the electricity consumption so far in the present fiscal, 2015-16, the discom roughly identified 4,46,853 electricity consumers as Group C consumers. While 64,968 consumers hail from Srikakulam district, 53,299 consumers are from Vizianagaram, 1,10,416 consumers are from Visakhapatnam, 1,23,430 consumers from East Godavari and 94,742 consumers from West Godavari district.
The discom categorised the domestic consumers as three categories - Group A, B and Group C effective from the new fiscal, April 1, 2016.
The consumers who consume power below 600 units per annum come under Group A, between 601 and 2400 units per annum are categorised as Group B and above 2400 units are Group C.
The discom has proposed increase in the power charges for Group C category consumers only. If that happens, the Group A and Group B consumers will have to pay the power charges as per the existing power tariffs being implemented in the present fiscal.
In the proposed new tariff of the slab system for Group C, the consumers will have to pay Rs 2.67 per unit against the current price of Rs 2.60 for 0-50 units , Rs 3.33 per unit against the current rate of Rs 3.25 for 51-100 units, Rs 5.39 against the current rate of Rs 4.88 for 101-200 units, Rs 7.07 against Rs 6.7 for 201-300 units, Rs 7.94 against 7.75 for 301-400 units, Rs 8.48 against 8.27 for 401-500 units and Rs 9.02 against the current rate of Rs 8.8 for above 500 units.
Confirming this to TOI, APEPDCL chief general manager (finance and projects), B Ramesh Prasad said the discom has not proposed a hike in the power tariff power of Group A and B consumers. "The discom has proposed the power tariff hike to meet its deficit of around Rs 800 crore. Of the Rs 800 crore, the discom expect Rs 505 crore from the AP government as subsidy and remaining share of Rs 295 crore from consumers including 14.95 crore from the domestic category. Those who use air conditioners and other heavy electricity consumption appliances will fall under the Group C category," Ramesh Prasad said. The officer further added that overall, the discom expect a hike of Rs 3 to 4 per unit on a select consumers in the new fiscal.
"However, everything is only a proposal now. A final decision will be taken by our autonomous regulatory body, AP Electricity Regulatory Commission, which will take its decision by conducting public hearings and consultations with the stakeholders before end of this fiscal," Ramesh Prasad added.