Odisha raises electricity duty rate by 1% on industry

The Odisha government today increased the electricity duty rate by 1 per cent for industry to generate revenue for upgrading power infrastructure.

The state Cabinet, presided over by chief minister Naveen Patnaik, cleared the proposal.

However, there will be no hike in the duty rates for irrigation and domestic consumers, chief secretary G C Pati said.

Stating that the electricity duty rates were for the last time revised in 2006, Pati said an additional revenue of Rs 300-350 crore would be generated annually.

"The additional funds to be collected through the duty rate hike will be utilised in electrical infrastructure development schemes," the chief secretary added.

On impact of the hike on industries, Pati said: "Other states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattishgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Jharkhand, the ED rates are much higher than Odisha."

In the industrial sector, while the electricity duty would be raised by 1 per cent, for captive consumption (CPP) and own use from the self generation, the rate has been revised from 20 paise per unit to 30 paise per unit, he said.