Power consumers are in shock, with their domestic bills soaring by Rs 300 to Rs 500 on an average due to the new tariff structure introduced by the central discom last month. Industrial consumers indicate that the steep increase will soon reflect in product costs. As per the FAPPCI (Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry) projections, the cost of goods and services will increase by 1 to 5 per cent. For average domestic consumers using between 200 to 250 units a month, the bill has shot up by as much as Rs 300 this month.
“My power bill used to be generally around Rs 400, but this month the bill has touched Rs 800. It’s a bit too much of a hike for using as little as five electronic goods and this does not even include an air-conditioner,” said Bhagirathi, a housewife. For P. Vishwanath, another consumer, the hike of Rs 400 in his bill came as a unpleasant surprise. “My power bill for a two-room apartment is now touching Rs 900 and that too with a fan, a cooler, a television set and a refrigerator,” said the consumer.
As for the industrial and commercial establishments, the steep hike in the new tariff structure of 25 to 34 per cent for the industrial and commercial units across slabs, is counterproductive to industrial growth. Also, industrial associations felt that the timing of the tariff hike couldn’t have come at a worse time as it will send wrong signals to prospective investors, especially when industry is still in a recovery mode from the negative impact of the global economic crisis which hit in 2008. Suggesting that the hike is disproportionately high, the associations also pointed out that the increase is hard on the sector and will escalate prices and add to inflation.