Bengaluru: After increasing the prices of essentials like milk and butter few days ago, the state government has decided to increase the electricity tariffs to rub salt on the wounds of common people with temperatures soaring across the state this summer.
The hike will come into effect from April 1, said Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Authority (KERC) Chairman M K Shankaralinge Gowda .
The quantum of hike will be known in five days time, Shankaralinge Gowda added.
KERC delegation which has collected relevant data from all ESCOMs excluding BESCOM will specify the rate of hike in the stipulated time, Shankarlinge Gowda noted. Considering the drought situation within the state and purchase of electricity from different sources outside state, ESCOMs have suggested a hike of Rs 1.48 per unit, KERC Chairman said.
In 2012-13 ESCOMs suggested a hike of 73 paise per unit whereas KERC increased the tariff by only 13 paise and in 2013-15 and 2016-17 ESCOMs suggested 1.02 paise hike where as KERC restricted it to Rs 0.8, Shankarlinge Gowda said.
Since February, the demand for electricity has risen considerably and the state needs 280 MW a day. However, there are no complaints on power cuts, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) Managing Kumar Naik had said.
