Revised power tariffs to be announced after elections

Electricity consumers will have to wait longer to know how much they will be shelling out for power consumption in the new financial year, as the tariff revision announcement has to wait till completion of the State Assembly elections.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), which was to announce a revision in tariff for the financial year 2018-19 by March-end, will now do so only after the elections.

KERC Chairman M.K. Shanklinge Gowda said, "It has not been announced because the model code of conduct is in place. As clarified by the Election Commission, the code applies to the State electricity regulatory commission as well. Any revision will be announced immediately after the polls are over."

The Karnataka elections are scheduled for May 12 while the counting is on May 15. The KERC chairman said the commission does not have to wait for the counting to conclude to announce the new tariffs. He also clarified that though the tariffs will be announced in May, they will be applicable from April 1.

During the last State Assembly elections too, the KERC had to follow the same procedure of announcing the revised tariffs.

This time, the five electricity supply companies (Escoms) have sought a hike in tariff ranging from 82 paise to ₹1.62 per unit.

Last year, the KERC had allowed an average 8% hike in tariffs across categories for all Escoms.