PATNA: The Bihar State Electricity Regulatory Commission may hike the existing power tariff for both domestic and non-domestic consumers soon. The last power tariff changes had been effected in 2001.
The Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) at a meeting here recently discussed some proposed changes and will soon be submitting its recommendations to the commission for its approval, BSEB member (finance and revenue) Rameshwar Singh said.
Sources said with the setting up of the commission, tariff fixation has gone out of the purview of political decision-making. The commission's orders will have to be implemented fully unless stayed or set aside by a court of law.
The sources said the commission will seek opinions and suggestions from trade and business organisations, including Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Bihar Industries Association, before taking a final decision in this regard.
Also, there is a good news for the consumers whose electricity supply connection has been withdrawn due to non-payment of outstanding bills.
The BSEB, at its recent meeting, decided to exempt those defaulters, who make their energy bill payment in one go, from delay payment surcharge (DPS).
