In a major relief to over 10 lakh power consumers in the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, UP State Electricity Regularity Commission (UPSERC) has decided to give them 5 per cent rebate in their power bills instead of one per cent if they pay their bills within the due date of payment.
This order was issued by the power regulator on December 12 to the power distribution companies and they have on their part issued follow-up orders.
The order was pronounced by UPSERC Chairman Raj Pratap Singh and two members, SK Agarwal and Kaushal Kishore, after hearing the power distribution companies.
This order will benefit around 10 lakh rural consumers who come under LMV-5 category.
Earlier, UP Power Corporation Limited had moved a petition before the power regulator, seeking approval to increase the subsidy to the regular rural consumers paying their bills on time from one per cent to five per cent. Though the verdict was given by the UPSERC on December 12, it was made public on Sunday.
The power regulator, however, clarified that the UPPCL will suffer a financial loss of Rs 15 crore annually for this scheme and that the UPPCL has told the UPSERC that they will not impose additional levy on other power consumers to recover the loss.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidhyut Upbhokta Parishad chairman Avadhesh Kumar Verma has thanked Energy Minister Shrikant Sharma for his support to the cause of helping the rural power consumers.
He demanded that this relief be extended to all power consumers in the state.