Surcharge up, power to cost more in Delhi

Power bills are set to go up in the city from this month, with the regulator announcing a 1.5% increase in surcharge on Friday. The hike comes ahead of new tariffs which are expected to be on the higher side.

Power bills are set to go up in the city from this month, with the regulator announcing a 1.5% increase in surcharge on Friday. The hike comes ahead of new tariffs which are expected to be on the higher side.

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The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has doubled the provisional power purchase cost adjustment charges (PPAC) for the city's distribution companies, applicable for three months starting May 1. HT wrote on Thursday that the hike was coming.

On an average, the surcharge will add Rs 40 - to Rs 90 to the bills, depending on the power consumed. Every three months, city’s power firms submit the price at which they buy power to DERC, which decides if the costs — purchasing price and fuel rates —need to be adjusted in the form of a surcharge.

The surcharge will be revised at the end of the three-month period.

A provisional PPAC of 1.5% has been approved for BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL). The new PPAC will be 4.5% for BRPL and BYPL, and 3% for TPDDL consumers.

Thursday's increase will be applicable as a surcharge on the total fixed and energy charges and the bill will clearly indicate the percentage and amount of PPCA, the DERC said.

"They're planning to increase the tariff this year too. How will a middle-class family afford it?" said BS Vohra, an east Delhi RWA joint front member.