Dual power subsidy in West Bengal

Consumers here and in Howrah under the CESC distribution area are deprived of power subsidy, which the remaining consumers under the West Bengal owned utility are enjoying since 2010-11 fiscal.

The subsidy of an average of 25 paisa is enjoyed by most of the one crore consumers under the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Ltd (WBSEDCL), while the 2.3 million consumers under CESC are deprived of it under dual standard on providing electricity subsidy.

“WBSEDCL consumers almost of all categories are getting subsidy on an average of 25 paisa a unit for 2010-11 which will continue in the current fiscal also,” a top power official told PTI.

 

CESC officials confirmed that there was no subsidy component for its consumers since the last fiscal.

The erstwhile Left Front government had offered subsidy of upto 200 units to all domestic power consumers belonging to both CESC and WBSEDCL to reduce the burden on the common people.

But, now only WBSEDCL consumers in all categories are being benefitted by an average 25 paisa a unit subsidy.

The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission gave a revised tariff order in December 2011 for 2010-11 of Rs 4.95 a unit against the average tariff of Rs 4.71 a unit given prior to it being challenged in court by a section of consumers.