THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the government readying moves to take the duty charge from the electricity bills to state coffers, it is certain that the crisis will mount to an inexplicable range for KSEB. 10 per cent of the electricity charge will be deducted as a duty charge from the bill. Annually, this is expected to give the government a total of Rs 1200 crore. KSEB is already expecting a loss of Rs 2939 crores this financial year. The current move will batter the board more as they will lose another Rs 1200 crore.

This amount was released for 10 years to provide pension and service benefits to those who were in service when KSEB became a company in 2013. In the latest budget, the government already gave a hint about taking the duty charge from November. In 2021, the Regulatory Commission approved KSEB's request to include the pension amount expense in the determination of electricity rates.

However, the High Court cancelled it last month. The rate revision in June was also not implemented due to the intervention of the High Court. The Regulatory Commission has asked to find money for a three-month pension. There are 40,080 pensioners. Rs 150 crores per month is required to properly pay pension money.

Participation pension is applicable only to those who joined the service after 2013. The retirement liability of those who joined the service before 2013 was Rs 12418.72 crore. KSEB has issued Rs 8144 crore bond with a 20-year tenure and the government has issued Rs 3751 crore bond with a 10-year tenure.

The surcharge will continue...

1. Electricity surcharge of 19 paise will continue in November. This is in addition to 9 paise allocated by the Regulatory Commission and 10 paise set by KSEB on its own.

2. Surcharge is to cover the loss due to the purchase of electricity at an excess price. 9 paisa was allowed to be collected from April. An additional 10 paise has been charged from June.

3. Loss endured due to purchase of electricity is Rs 80.22 crore including last month's Rs 29.25 crore.