Delhi's power tariff hike comes into effect

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) An average of over 20 percent hike in power tariff for homes came into effect in the national capital Sunday, the fourth hike in just about 10 months, prompting the people to demand its immediate rollback.

The hike was announced by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) Wednesday.

According to new rates, the domestic consumers will be charged higher as compared to commercial and industrial category consumers.

"While the average power tariff (domestic) has been hiked by 20.87 percent, power will be dearer by 19.49 percent for commercial use," DERC chairman P.D. Sudhakar said.

Resident welfare associations (RWAs) in the city immediately opposed the hike in power tariff and asked Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to announce a rollback.

"The chief minister should roll back the power tariff hike, as it will have exponential impact on middle class and poor people," said Randeep Guleria, president of the Chittaranjan Park RWA.

According to DERC, the domestic consumer will be charged Rs.3.70 per unit for the first 200 units of power instead of the current Rs.3. For the next 200 units, the consumers will have to pay Rs.4.80 per unit of power. For consumption above 400 units, Rs.6.40 per unit will be charged instead of current Rs.5.70.

Commercial users will have to pay Rs.8.84 a unit instead of Rs.7.40 a unit. Each unit of power for industrial use will cost Rs.7.69 as against Rs.6.39.

Citing a financial crunch, the private distribution companies had sought a hike in the tariff.

The Delhi Metro's power tariff rates have been increased to Rs.5 a unit from Rs.3.80 a unit.