The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has proposed a 30%-40% tariff increase for residential and commercial customers. This means that consumers in the city are likely to pay more for electricity in the coming financial year. A petition filed by MSEDCL before Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) to propose the hike for customers across the state from April 1 was made public recently.
Electricity users will have to pay more
MSEDCL’s residential customers currently pay a fixed monthly fee of 105, which is proposed to be increased by 13. The company has also proposed raising the residential wheeling charge from 1.25 to 1.43 cents per unit (the fees paid to transport electricity from a power plant to end users).
The main reason for the tariff increase, according to Pratap Hogade, president of the state electricity consumers’ organisation, is an increase in thermal power costs. Through a public notice, the MERC has invited comments and suggestions.