Bengaluru: There are all possibilities of hike in the fare of electricity before the Assembly elections. For every unit, electricity would be costlier by 30 to 40 paisa or more in areas which come under MESCOM, JESCOM, and HESCOM limits.
According to the sources, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) should have released the order by now, but it was delayed due to oral order of the government.
If the government increases the electricity fare, it will naturally have a negative impact on voters. It may become a weapon for the opposition parties as well. So, the government didnt want to increase the rate, said a source.
Every year, all ESCOMS used to submit a proposal to the government to increase the price and used to propose a price. But, this time, 5 ESCOMS have demanded separate rates. The BESCOM has proposed 80 paisa/unit, MESCOM- 163 paisa/unit and JESCOM and HESCOM have demanded 123 paisa/unit each.
Now, as the elections have been declared in the state, the permission of the Chief Election Commission is must to take a decision. KERC President Shankaralingegowda said, “All processes related to increasing the electricity fare has been completed and fare would be hiked from April 1. As the election code of conduct is in place, it will be declared after the permission of the Election Commission,” he said.
