Himachal Electricity Board will fix new rates of electricity in the state today. Due to this, about 17 lakh electricity consumers of Himachal will be shocked. The new electricity rate in the state will depend on the subsidy of the government. Today it will be final that how much subsidy the government will give to the Electricity Board, on which the rate of tariff will be decided. The State Electricity Regulatory Commission will also declare the tariff for the next financial year. It is certain that the rate of electricity will increase in Himachal, because the government will not be able to give that much subsidy to the board.
The tariff of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, which is going to come today, will increase the rates of electricity by 20 to 30 paise per unit. This is for domestic electricity consumers, while the electricity rate for commercial and industries can be even higher. By the way, for domestic consumers, the Electricity Board has asked for an increase of up to 90 paise per unit, only then their expenses are covered, but an increase of 20 to 30 paise per unit is possible. Now it has to be seen how much subsidy the government gives.
Already up to 125 units of electricity is being provided free of cost in Himachal. The new tariff will start only above 125 units. Earlier 0 to 125 units are counted, which will now be removed for domestic consumers.
It is being told that at present, the government has kept a subsidy of Rs 500 crore for electricity consumers for cheap electricity, which the government can increase by a maximum of Rs 200 crore, that means the total subsidy can be up to Rs 700 crore. But according to the expenses of the board here, the subsidy should be above one thousand crore, only then their expenses will be fulfilled. Electricity will not be expensive.
If seen here, the economic condition of the government is not good and in such a situation, there is no possibility of more subsidy, but still the government can try to give some relief from its side, so that relief can be given to the people.
The liability of the pay scales of the employees on the Electricity Board is very high. Due to the new pay scale given to the employees, an additional expenditure of Rs 500 to 600 crore has increased here. In such a situation, he has demanded the commission to increase the price of electricity. Now it has to be seen how much the commission increases the rates of electricity.
