Amidst wide-spread reports that Andhra Pradesh government is planning to hike power tariffs, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu tried to clarify them. However, Naidu neither denied nor admitted of hike in power tariff.
Playing it safe, diplomatic Babu stated that Power distribution companies (discoms) have appealed for power tariff hike to ERC (Electricity Regulatory Commission) and hence the state government is yet to take a decision on it.
Speaking to media, Babu said, “Since discoms facing transmission and distribution losses they have appealed to ERC. Anyhow, there will not be any hike in power tariffs for who use below 100 units. For hike in power tariffs above 100 units, we’ll take public opinion.”
Discoms have proposed a 6% hike on the existing structure. The tariff proposals will have to be approved by the regulatory commission and by state government. The revised tariffs are expected to come into force from April 1, 2015.
AP is providing supply of seven hours of power to the agricultural sector during 2015-16 and uninterrupted power supply for all the consumers.