Assam: APDCL hikes power tariff by 79 paise per unit from December

The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) on November 25 announced to hike the per unit rate of electricity for the next three months i.e from December to February by 79 paise per unit.

As per APDCL's official notice, the tariff rate has been hiked by 79 paise per unit from the current 30 paise per unit.

''It is for the information of all Electricity consumers that in terms of the AERC (Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment) Regulations, 2010, Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPPA) at Purchase 79 paisa per unit (kWh) will be levied to all category per unit of consumers for next three months w.e.f. consumers December'22 (energy consumed during November 22) to February 23 (energy consumed during January 23),'' the official notice read.

The notice further said that any adjustment regarding short/excess recovery due to seasonal variation of consumption within the stipulated period will be adjusted in subsequent periods or as may be directed by AERC.

''The adjustment will remain in force unless replaced by other to that effect,'' the notice added.

Recently, inflated electricity bills generated by the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) had aggravated the woes of residents in the state post the installation of smart reading meters and this has not gone well within the BJP-ruled state government.

Following this, the Assam Chief Minister had clarified that there was no hike in power tariff but instances of unreasonable bill amounts have come in from consumers which are due to faulty readings in some of the newly installed smart meters. 

On the other hand, State Minister Pijush Hazarika, Minister of Water Resources, Information & Public Relations speaking to the media had said, "We have noticed technical glitches in the smart meters in some places, and APDCL has also issued a press statement."

Further, the minister added that wherever there is a sudden hike in power bills all the readings will be re-done and address the issue.