Thiruvananthapuram: The electricity tariffs in Kerala will go up with effect from July 1. The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) will announce the revised rates by mid June.
The commission has completed the collection of evidence over the petition submitted by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) demanding an increase of 25-80 paise per unit for the electricity used for domestic purposes.
The KSEB has recommended an increase in the tariffs effective for the next five years. The revised rates were scheduled to come into effect on April 1, but the regulatory commission extended the prevailing tariffs till June 30 after the implementation process got delayed. However, a surcharge is in force from February 1 to May 31 at the rate of 9 paise per unit.
Police-KSEB tussle
Meanwhile, a dispute between the KSEB and Kerala Police Department over power bill dues is raging. The dispute arose after the Additional Director General of Police issued a letter to the KSEB demanding payment of Rs 130 crore for having provided services of the police force to the organisation. The letter was apparently a counter move to the notice sent earlier by the board to the Kerala Police demanding payment of arrears on electricity bills. The Minister for Electricity, K Krishnankutty, has now directed the respective authorities to look into the matter.
The KSEB authorities has not taken kindly to a remark in the ADGP's letter that the issue of arrears could be discussed after Rs 130 crore is paid, claimed sources.
The Home Department has not reacted yet on the issue.
