AAP Government Hikes up Electricity Tariff 2 Days After Jalandhar Bypoll Win

The AAP government has increased electricity tariffs for all categories of consumers just two days after winning the Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll elections. The opposition has criticized this move and said this is the first gift to the people. The tariff order will come into effect from May 16.

AAP government won the Jalandhar Lok Sabha bypoll elections by a landslide just two days ago. Now, the government has announced an electricity tariff increase for all categories of consumers.  The average cost of power has gone up from Rs. 6.48 per unit last year to Rs. 7.04 per unit. The tariff order will come into effect from May 16 since the model code of conduct was in force because of the bypoll elections.

This means domestic consumers will continue to get 300 units of free power each month, but will have to pay an average of 65 paise more per unit which is Rs. 15 per kilowatt as additional fixed charges. Similarly, commercial consumers will have to pay Rs. 25-30 more as fixed charges which is a hike of 47 paisa average per unit rate. Furthermore, agriculture consumers will see an increase of 90 paise per unit.

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has increased the tariff for this year by 8.64 percent. This move is to help meet the increased annual revenue requirement of Punjab State Power Corporation considering the increase in the cost of coal.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann shared that the new tariff will not impact the common man as the increase would be handled by the government.

The opposition parties, Congress and SAD, have criticized this move and said this is the “first gift” to people after winning the elections.

Vineet Washington