THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has submitted a request to the Electricity Regulatory Commission to increase the electricity tariff for the next four years starting from April 1. The board has demanded a hike of 40.64 paise per unit this year. It is expecting to generate an additional income of Rs 1044.43 crore through this. The Commission will take a final decision after taking evidence from the public and industrial customers.
On June 26 last year, an average of 25 paise was increased per unit. The board generated an additional income of Rs.1010.94 crores and a profit of more than Rs.760 crores through this. KSEB was profitable even after implementing the pay revision last year.
The tariff should be increased if there is a gap between income and expenditure. Last year, the income of KSEB was more than its expenditure. Yet, the board is demanding a hike in the tariff.
Last year, KSEB had sought permission to increase the tariff for four years. However, it was given permission to increase the rate for only one year. The commission had then said that it would assess the situation after a year and check whether to bring a further hike. Seeing this as an opportunity, the board is now trying to bring a hike.
Goal