Uproar over power, water bills forces rethink

DERC proposes bringing back 201-400 unit slab to ease pressure on consumers, Sheila waives arrears on late payment of water bills.

Looking at a slew of complaints against inflated electricity bills Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) on Wednesday proposed "adjustments" in tariff structure.

It is considering reverting to the original structure, which included a slab for consumption between 201-400 units of power. This slab was done away with after the power regulator announced a 26 per cent increase in tariff for domestic consumers, in June this year.

Relief was also announced on the water front, with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit promising waiver of surcharge in arrears of water bills.

The DERC decision came after complaints of 33 per cent increase in bills after abolition of the 201-400 slab. The power regulator has now proposed to charge Rs 5.7 per unit for consumption between 201-400 units.

"We have proposed to restore the original slabs, which will mean restoration of the slab for consumption between 201-400 units and abolition of the new 0-400 units slab," DERC chairman P D Sudhakar said.

He said the DERC would conduct a public hearing on the issue on October 8. The hearing will aim to get comments of stakeholders on the proposal, following which a final decision will be taken.

The regulator has proposed the change in slab with retrospect from July 1, when hiked tariff came into effect.

According to the existing slab, if a consumer's monthly consumption goes beyond 200 units, he is charged Rs 4.8 per unit for the entire consumption as against the previous arrangement of different rates for first 200 units and the next 200 units.

A domestic consumer is now charged Rs 3.7 per unit for first 200 units of power, instead of earlier Rs 3. Consumers with a monthly usage of up to 400 units are charged Rs 4.8 per unit. If the new proposal goes through, the consumers will be charged Rs 3.7 for the first 200 units and Rs 5.7 for the next 200 units.

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