Commercial users to pay at new rates.
The Orissa High Court today partially lifted its previous order of not to collect electricity bills based on revised tariff and said bills can be collected from commercial consumers at new rates.
The court, however, said the stay order on domestic consumer tariff will remain effective till June 27, when the next hearing will take place.
The commercial consumers will now get two bills based on previous and revised tariff, the order said.
The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on March 18 revised tariff for retail and commercial users in the state for the current financial year with huge changes, citing skyrocketing power purchase and other costs.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the commission's order was filed at the Orissa High Court on March 31 and the court had granted interim stay on OERC order, which was extended to June 20.
According to the new tariff, High Tension (HT) industries will have to pay Rs 6.50 per unit in 2011-12, against Rs 5.30 per unit paid in previous year.
Similarly, tariff for Extra High Tension (EHT) industries was revised to Rs 6.40 per unit, up from Rs 5.10 per unit.
In its March 31 order, the court had also directed the regulator to dispose off the review petition filed by state government. OERC last week rejected the government's petition on the grounds of insufficient and invalid clauses but slashed the retail electricity consumer tariff partially in a suo motu proceeding. The commission reduced electricity charges for consumption between 50 and 100 units, by Rs 1.50 rupees to Rs 2.00 per units and said the new tariff will be applicable from April 1, once the court delivers its order on the PIL.
