By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 23, 2017 : The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Thursday announced a hike in electricity tariffs by an average 1.44%.

For domestic consumers the tariff for the first 50 units of consumption has been kept unchanged, while for subsequent units the rate has been increased by 10 paisa per unit for all retail consumers.

However, the rates for the first 50 units of electricity used for agricultural activities and under the Biju Kutir Jyoti Yojana have been kept unchanged. Similarly, there has been no changes announced for the electricity meter rentals.

However, the OERC has announced relief in the form of discount of 5 paisa per unit to consumers paying their dues on time and another 1% off for making payments online. Moreover, the consumers in rural areas will get an additional discount of 5 paisa per unit.

“OHPC, OPGC, OPTCL, SLDC, Gridco, Nesco, Wesco, Southco, and Cesu had moved the OERC for arrear and tariff determination. The commission had conducted a public hearing on the same in February. Keeping in mind the statutory provisions and suggestions of the government and other stakeholders, the OERC, after taking into account all other factors have come out with the tariff determination order,” said OERC Secretary, Kamal Lochan Panda.

“For the 2017-18 financial year the retail supply tariff will be increased by 1.44%. The OERC has not hiked the tariffs for agriculture activities, domestic consumers with less than 50 units consumption and for BPL families. Apart from these, the tariffs have been hiked by 10 paisa per unit for every other consumers including, industries, public institutions, general purpose, and other categories of consumers,’ said the director of regulatory affairs of OERC, Priyabrat Patnaik.