KSEB hikes charge for new connections

The Kerala State Electricity Board has increased the charges for getting new connections for different categories of consumers.
The order had come into effect from May 2, a KSEB release said today.
The revised rates were approved by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission in February but kept pending following announcement of Lok Sabha elections.
As per the revised rates, charges for getting weather proof connections, which would not require support poles, would go up from Rs 1,850 to Rs 2,150. For getting connections, which would require support pole for carrying overhead lines, the consumer should pay Rs 4,000 against the previous rate of Rs 2,350.

For a single-phase connection requiring one post, the consumer would have to pay Rs 11,500 against the previous rate Rs 8,600. Three-phase connection cost would be Rs 19,750 against the previous rate of Rs 18,150. There would be corresponding increase depending upon requirement of more than one support pole.
Connection charges are being revised after five years.
According to KSEB, the rates were revised in view of sharp increase in material and labour cost in the last five years.
Earlier it was inadvertently reported that Kerala State Electricity Commission has approved a revision of power tariff to mobilise Rs 650 crore for Kerala State Electricity Board.