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SHIMLA: In Himachal Pradesh domestic consumers, except below poverty line consumers, will have to pay additional 5 paise power tariff from July 1 as the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has revised the power tariff.

The fixed charges for all consumers not covered under demand based fixed charges have been increased by Rs 10 per month to cover the fixed costs of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL).

For new Industrial category of consumers coming into production after July 1 this year, Commission has approved energy charges at 15% lower than the notified tariff for the respective categories for a period of three years beginning July 1 this year.

HPSEBL had projected the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for the fourth Control Period for five years from financial year 2019-20 to financial year (FY) 2023-24. In its petition, HPSEBL had proposed an ARR of Rs 6451.53 Crore for FY 2019-20 which includes True-Up gap of Rs 649.94 Crore for FY17 (Based on Final audited account).

Total revenue proposed by HPSEBL for FY 2019- 20 is Rs 5357.24 crore at existing tariff resulting in a revenue gap of Rs 1094.29 Crore for FY20.

For Agricultural consumers under Irrigation and Drinking Water Pumping Supply (IDWPS) category, the energy charges shall be Rs 0.50 per kWh with a reduction of Rs 0.25 paise per kWh.

These revised energy charges on the account of Government subsidy would only be applicable for agricultural and allied activities and which are paid for by individuals and user groups and load of upto 20 kW only but shall not be applicable for government supply.

