In Rajasthan power bills will increase for the next three months from May to July as the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has approved the request by STate power companies to recover Rs 45 paisa per unit as fuel surcharge. Increase in coal rates, freight charges and changes in various taxes are the main reason behind higher actual variable cost.

According to sources, the recovery will be from April to June quarter of 2022 and will be reflected in the bills from May 1, 2023. The exempted ones are the consumers using up to 50 units and who have agricultural connections.

The non-availability of coal from Chhattisgarh is the reason. Now the coal had to be purchased from Mahanadi Coal Mines, which is low quality and expensive, relatively. Also, 6% imported coal which is relatively expensive also had to be use, according to the instruction of the Government of India. 

“These are the factors that led to the decisions. As these are not under the control of the electricity corporation or the state government, the difference has to be levied from the consumers.” 

Imposing fuel surcharge is transparent and is calculated by an independent auditor under the directions of the RERC. “The report verified by the independent auditor and the details of calculation of fuel surcharge are uploaded on the website of the corporation.”  

Source: Times Of India