Amid power consumers blaming state government for "high" power tariff in Punjab, the announcement of 2.74 per cent hike in power tariff by the power regulator PSERC today was the second lowest increase during SAD-BJP regime.
Power regulator PSERC today announced a hike of 2.74 per cent hike in power tariff across all consumer categories in Punjab for the year 2014-15 by "heavily" slashing the power utility's losses.
"The 2.74 per cent hike in power tariff for 2014-15 is one of the lowest increases in the state," PSERC member Virinder Singh told reporters here today.
According to data provided by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), Punjab witnessed lowest hike in power tariff at 2.60 per cent in 2008-09.
SAD-BJP took the reins of the state in 2007-08.
However, the highest raise in power tariff during Akalis regime was witnessed in 2009-10 when energy rates were revised by whopping 12.42 per cent, followed by 12.08 per cent in 2012-13.
Notably, power consumers including industrial sector has been criticising the SAD-BJP led state government for higher power tariff as compared to tariff prevailing in other states, blaming it for render uncompetitive and blocking new investments.
In last 10 years, there was also a time when Punjab saw no increase and reduction in power tariff.
In 2004-05, the power rates were revised downwards (-6 per cent) by the power regulator while in 2006-07, there was no hike in power tariff announced by the PSERC, as per data.
