)
The power tariff hike announced May 31 came into effect in Uttar Pradesh Monday. Domestic users would now pay 35% more for power, while the rural sector would have to pay 45% more.
For bills till June 9, the old power tariff structure would be used, officials told IANS.
Under the rules, the hike in tariff comes automatically into effect on the seventh day of the publication of the notification for the same, officials explained.
With no sign that the state government would relent and heed to demands for a rollback of the hike, the tariff is considered implemented from Monday, officials said.
Director (Commercial) of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) confirmed the hike, and said all preparations have been made with regard to this.
This, he added, would essentially mean that the changes required in the billing software have been incorporated, and the new tariff plan posted on it.
Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) have slammed the Akhilesh Yadav government for the hike in power tariff and demanded a rollback, failing which they would undertake protests across the state.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, meanwhile, blamed the poor financial condition of the UPPCL for the "painful decision", and said that efforts were on to ensure better power supply to the people. He said that in times to come, the state would get more power.
He however parried questions on whether the state government planned to slash the hike.
