Brace for power shocker

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 21

The power bills of city residents will see another hike of up to 10 per cent as the UT Electricity Department has decided to levy fuel and power purchase cost adjustment (FPPCA) charges on the consumers for the last quarter of the previous financial year.

The decision was taken after seeking approval from the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC). The department had sought approval from the JERC for levying FPPCA charges between 15 to 20 per cent from January to March this year.

While approving the revised tariff for the current fiscal, the JERC put a cap on the FPPCA charges being levied by the Electricity Department at 10 per cent of the applicable tariff. The JERC has allowed the department to impose FPCCA charges of up to 10 per cent, but it will have to seek permission in case the hike is more that 10 per cent. Sources said the permission was sought as the proposed increase was more than 10 per cent. However, instead of approving the proposal in toto, the JERC allowed the department to impose FPPCA charges of up to 10 per cent.

An officer said the enhanced charges would be reflected in the bills to be generated from next month. The charges are likely to increase by 40 to 60 paise per unit.

The charges will be levied on all types of consumers — domestic, commercial and industrial.