West Bengal govt spares BPL, agri and middleclass from tariff hike

Average power tariff of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd is turning dearer by 23 paise with effect from July billing cycle

West Bengal government has spared the agriculture sector, BPL consumers and middle class users from power tariff hike, the State Power Minister said on Thursday.

"We have spared the agriculture sector, BPL and common people from the power traiff hike by the state utility," Chatterjee said on the sidelines of an event here.

Average power tariff of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL) is turning dearer by 23 paise with effect from July billing cycle.

For consumers who use up to 300 units, the impact would be nil as state is going take the burden and subsidise the same. But if the consumption is more than 300 units, the consumer would be out of the subsidy ambit, regulatory officials said.

"If consumption exceeds 300 units the consumer will pay bill based on higher tariff for entire consumption as he will be out of subsidy," an official of the state electricity regulator said.

The Minister also said West Bengal will attain 100 per cent electrification by mid 2017. The government is working to electrify entire Sundarbans and 95-97 per cent work has been done.