Power tariff cut by Rs 10 paise/unit in Assam, 10 hike in fixed charge

GUWAHATI: Electricity consumers in Assam will have to pay Rs 10 more fixed charge per month than the existing charge but the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has decreased the energy charge by 10 paise per unit with effect from Saturday.
AERC chairperson Kumar Sanjay Krishna said though the fixed charge has been hiked, there will be an average tariff decrease of 1.2%. “If a household consumes electricity of Rs 2000 in a month, he will get a benefit of around Rs 300 as the energy charge has been decreased by 10 paise. On the other hand, the consumer will give just Rs 10 more as fixed charge. Fixed charge is paid on a monthly basis while the energy charge is calculated on a unit basis. So, overall there is no increase in power tariff,” he added.
The new fixed charge for Domestic A category will be Rs 70 per month after an increase of Rs 10 and the new energy charge will be Rs 5.70 after a decrease of 10 paise.
The total tariff in a monthly bill is a combination of fixed charges, which is per month per connection/ kW/KVA/HP and variable charges, which is per kilowatt per hour. There is a third component as meter rent, which has been kept unchanged. Earlier, the power tariff was revised by the AERC in March last year and January this year. Last year, the AERC increased by 59 paisa per unit in power tariff for Domestic A category consumers (upto 5 kW demanded load). The energy charge was hiked to Rs 5.30 and the fixed hiked to Rs 60.
Last month, the AERC increased the fuel and power purchase price adjustment (FPPPA) charge by 50 paise, which led to the energy charge to Rs 5.80. After the decrease of 10 paise in the new tariff order, the energy charge from Saturday will be Rs 5.70.
As per the order, the state government has not given any written commitment to the AERC for providing category-wise subsidy in financial year 2023-24. The energy charge may go down by a few paise if the state government gives subsidies. Earlier, there was a government subsidy of 75 paise per unit.
Meanwhile, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “The AERC chairperson told me that they are decreasing the tariff by 10 paise. They may increase the fixed charge for some adjustment. Bu overall, there is a decrease in power tariff.”