Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here that there was nothing wrong with the increase in electricity bills during the lockdown. The increase in power consumption was a natural occurrence, but the chief minister added that KSEB had been directed to look into the matter in the wake of complaints.
February to May is the peak power season. With this being a lockdown, power consumption has increased. The four-month bill was put together because she could not read. That is why the bill amount has gone up. No changes in tariff structure or electricity rates have been made. However, the issue was examined in the event of a high level of complaints. This has allowed times for people who have difficulty paying the bill together. No one’s electricity connection will be cut off because the bill is not paid in the context of Kovid.
Electricity is free for those with a connected load of less than 500 watts, which uses up to 40 units. This section will allow free use regardless of the amount of electricity currently used.
For those with a connected load of less than 1000 watts, which uses up to 40 units per month, the cost is Rs 1.50 per unit. Consumers in this category will be charged Rs. 1.50 per unit no matter how much they consume.
- This time, consumers who use up to 50 units a month will be subsidized half of the bill due to excess consumption.
- Subsidy allow 30 per cent of the increase in the bill due to excess consumption, this time to 100 units per month.
- The subsidy will be 25% of the bill increase due to excess consumption for those using up to 150 units per month.
- The total subsidy for all customers who use over 150 units per month will be subsidized by 20 percent of the increase due to excess consumption.
3 installments were allowed to pay the electricity bill during the lockdown period. This has been increased up to 5 times. It is estimated that the Electricity Board will incur an additional liability of 200 crore due to this but it will benefit 90 lakh domestic consumers.
