Bhopal, Apr 2: The new power tariff rates fixed by Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission are not going to entail any burden on common consumers. On the contrary they would get relief. Meanwhile the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has assured that nominal hike in the power tariff would not be allowed to affect the general public and farmers.

The energy charge for domestic consumers has not been increased. Only a Rs 10 per kW nominal increase has been made for the urban consumers consuming over 100 units per month. Another important feature of the new tariffs is that the energy charge for domestic consumers has been reduced by eight paise per unit in comparison to last year.

As far as increase of 15 paise per unit for irrigation pumps is concerned, the rates to be applicable will be the same in which concessions were announced by the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the Kisan Mahapanchayat. As per this announcement, the irrigation pumps would be supplied electricity at the rate of 75 paise per unit on consumption of upto 500 units per month. Similarly, on consumption of over 500 units the rate of 110 paise per unit would be applicable. These tariffs announced earlier by the government are 40 to 50 percent less than the prevailing rates.

As per the new rates the exemption to be given to farmers for taking measures for power conservation for irrigation pumps has been increased by 15 paise. Thus, they would now get the benefit of 45 paise instead of 30 paise. Similarly, the exemption given on advance payment has been increased from half percent to one per cent per month.

The news rates fixed by the Regulatory Commission include other concessions also. The relief given to industrial consumers for improving load factor has been increased. A ten percent exemption has been given for a period of five years in the energy charge for new railway traction projects for rapid electrification. As per the new tariffs the government schools have been placed under a new non-domestic sub category. This would reduce the energy charge by 37 paise compared to other categories. The x-ray plants have been totally exempt from minimum charge. Incentive has been given for adopting energy conservation measures in streetlights and water supply schemes.

The Commission has introduced a demand side management exemption on the consumer contribution demand for the consumers, which is one and half time more than the existing rates. The available maximum demand side management for consumers is 45 paise at present. The poultry farm and other categories have been brought under sub category low-tension irrigation. Earlier, poultry was classified under low-tension agriculture based industry category. Now this category has been placed under low-tension irrigation and pump sub category.

It may be mentioned here that the Central Commission has made unprecedented increased in the unscheduled interchange rates. Due to increase in these rates upto Rs 10 per unit the short-term power tariffs have also gone upto Rs nine per unit. Similarly, there has been a tremendous hike in the expenditures on coal, other spare parts and line material. The notified tariff policy of the central government has also desired that the power tariffs for all categories of consumers should be 20 percent of the average rate of power supply by year 2010-11. Despite all this, the State Regulatory Commission has not effected any major increase, but has rationalized the rates.