Seeking to move an adjournment motion on the matter, LDF alleged that the order, to come into force from tomorrow, would badly hit all consumers and demanded that it should not be implemented.
SERC's decision to impose restrictions on power consumption by industrial units and levy a penalty for additional use would turn the state into a 'graveyard of industries', they said.
Power Minister Aryadan Muhammed, in his reply, justified the decision and said those using more than 300 units per month were affluent sections of society and pointed out just 95000 consumers of a total of 83 lakh use more than 300 units.
"The power situation in the state is very grim and the State Electricity Board is incurring revenue deficit of Rs 2,400 crore by purchasing power from outside," he said.
Power generation through Hydro electric projects has come down due to the low water level in dams, he said, adding the level in Idukki has plummeted to a record low.
Muhammed also rejected the charge of former power Minister A K Balan (CPI-M), who sought notice for the motion, that administrative inefficiency was the root cause for the power crisis in the state.
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Speaker G Karthikeyan then disallowed the motion. Dissatisfied with Muhammed's reply, Opposition members staged a walkout.
The power tariff of consumers who use more than 300 units would become Rs 15 per unit for additional consumption. The new rate would be in force from December 15 to May 31 next.
Similarly, High Tension and Extra High Tension consumers who draw power more than the prescribed quota will have to pay double per unit.