Hooda rolls back power rate hike

Power rate for farmers has been reduced by 60 per cent

In an apparent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) effect, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday gave a major relief to power consumers by reducing rates in the state.

While the Congress government rolled back an earlier rate increase for consumption of up to 500 units by domestic consumers, the power rate for agriculture was reduced by 60 per cent for the current financial year.

Now, domestic consumers will have to pay the same rate they used to pay till April 2013, and farmers will have to pay  10p a unit, instead of  25p a unit. The move will benefit 3.8 million domestic consumers and 550,000 farmers.

Talking to reporters, Hooda said, “The government has withdrawn the increase (about 13 per cent) made from April 2013 onward for domestic consumers consuming up to 500 units per month. Moreover, the fuel surcharge adjustment (FSA) of financial year 2013-14 will remain same.”

“As a result of this decision, up to 1000 units bimonthly consumption will get the benefit of the old slab system, as well as reduction in tariff and FSA to last year’s level,” he said. These rates will come into effect from this month, he added.

Hooda said the move would cost the state about Rs 600 crore a year and the entire expenditure would be borne by the government.

Hooda also made it clear that the benefit of the recently introduced slab system would continue to be available to consumers, who consume up to 800 units a month.

The chief minister said the tariff being charged from farmers has also been reduced by 60 per cent.