F.P. Report
KARACHI: Bad news for the Karachi-Electric (K-Electric) consumers as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Saturday allowed an increase in electricity tariff by Rs1.95 per unit.
The Power Division has issued a notification in this regard. A day earlier, the Nepra had given approval to increase of Rs1.95 per unit in the electricity tariff, putting an additional burden of Rs200 billion on all the consumers excluding K-Electric.
The raise in power rates by the federal government a few days ago. According to Nepra, the tariff hike will be applicable to all consumers including lifeline consumers using 50 units in a month.
The approval came on a federal government request for application of uniform schedule of tariff for all distribution companies of ex-Wapda along with “targeted tariff differential subsidy of Rs185 billion” to ensure uniform tariff. Per unit average tariff has gone up to Rs16.33 from Rs14.38 following the increase.
The Nepra, also on February 11, had approved a further increase in electricity tariff by 83 paisas per unit for the period of one year. The electricity rate has been raised on a quarterly basis and made in the context of adjustment for 2019-20. With this, the electricity consumers will have an additional burden of Rs84 billion.
The increased price will take effect after a notification is issued by the government. A day earlier, the NEPRA had raised the electricity tariff by Rs1.53 per unit on a monthly fuel adjustment basis.
