Domestic users in for electric shock

NEPRA sends proposal to impose up to Rs1,000 as fixed charges to govt

ISLAMABAD:

Making lives harder for the inflation-hit people, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has proposed imposing fixed charges of up to Rs1,000 for domestic electricity consumers from July 1.

According to sources, this proposal has been sent to the federal government, which will make the final decision.

The proposed fixed charges are part of the average base tariff of Rs5.72 per unit.

The fixed charges are structured to vary based on electricity consumption levels.

As per the proposal, domestic consumers using between 301 and 400 units per month will incur fixed charges of Rs200.

Similarly, those consuming between 401 and 500 units per month will be subjected to fixed charges of Rs400.

Likewise, the residential consumers using between 501 and 600 units, the fixed charges will be Rs600.

Those consuming between 601 and 700 units will be charged Rs800.

The domestic consumers using above 700 units per month will have fixed charges of Rs1,000.

These proposed fixed charges are to be included in the basic electricity tariff, which were previously not part of its structure for domestic customers.

Earlier this month, the power regulator hiked the per unit price of electricity by Rs3.25 per unit on account of quarterly fuel adjustment.

According to a notification issued by Nepra, the increase will be applicable for three months this year — June, July and August.

The power regulator had sent its decision of increasing the electricity rates to the federal government.

In a statement issued back then, Federal Energy Minister (Power Division) Sardar Awais Leghari said Nepra had made quarterly tariff adjustments, which would be charged in the power bills for the next three months.

He explained that the adjustment for the second quarter of the current year 2023-24 was Rs2.75, which was being charged in the bills for April, May and June.

Similarly, he added that the power regulator had calculated the third quarter adjustment, which would be enforced in bills for the next three months.

Leghari clarified that this adjustment would be Rs1.90 for June and decrease to 0.93 paisas for July and August.

Therefore, the minister pointed out that Rs4.65 would be charged as quarterly adjustment in the bills for the month of June.

He further said the total cost of quarterly adjustment in July and August bills would come down from Rs4.65 to 0.93 paisas – a decrease of Rs3.72.

The power distribution companies had requested permission from the Nepra to collect an additional Rs3.48 per unit from consumers under the fuel charges adjustment for April this year.