Mumbai Pre-polls 'Shock' - Tata Power Proposes 201% Tariff Hike for Low-end Users
IANS 30 January 2024
In a bolt from the blue ahead of the elections, Tata Power Co Ltd has proposed a huge increase in the power rates for Mumbaikars, particularly the lower-end users as part of a tariff rationalisation initiative.
 
The average hike proposed is 12% across all consumer groups in 2024-2025 but the worst-hit would be low-income residential consumers and below poverty line users with proposed hikes of a staggering 201% and 89%, respectively, though high-end users and certain public service users will be getting some relief.
 
As per the distribution company's media announcement, the Tata Power plans to hike the rate per unit from the present Rs3.74 to Rs7.37 for subscribers consuming up to 100 units per month (201%).
 
For those consuming between 101-300 units, the proposed hike in rates is from Rs5.89 to Rs9.31 (66%).
 
The proposals include: Below Poverty Line families: 89% tariff hike; 0-100 units: 201%; 101-300 units: 66%; 301-500 units: 10%; and Group Housing Societies: 41%.
 
Other sectors that could witness increases are: EV charging stations: upto 71% tariff hike; Commercial consumers: 8%-25%; Industrial consumers: 25%-38%; and Public services: upto 82%, barring some categories.
 
Certain categories could see some relief: High-end Residential users with more than 500 units consumption per month: 5% cut in tariff; Large public service clients within the HT Public Service Category: up 18% reduction in tariff; and Metro and Monorail: up to 29% slashed tariffs.
 
The massive hikes and partial reliefs come less than a year after the company secured an average hike of 11.88% (2023-2024) and 12.19% (2024-2025) in April 2023.
 
Tata Power’s previous tariff hike approval last year (April 2023) was challenged before the appellate tribunal for electricity (APTEL), which ruled in the company's favour this month (January 2024), paving the way for the latest tariffs proposal.
 
The Maharashtra electricity regulatory commission (MERC) has sought public suggestions/objections for the new proposals with a public hearing scheduled on 27th February before its final decision in the matter.
 
Tata Power presently serves around 7.50 lakh consumers in Mumbai, with 5.5 lakhs being residential users who usually consume less than 300 units per month.
 
If cleared, the proposed steep revision in tariffs is expected to add a significant load on the consumers' bills from April—at the height of the election season.
 
Coming just ahead of the Parliament and Assembly elections this year in the state, the tariff hikes move is expected to get a thumbs down from consumer groups as well as political parties.
 
Moreover, there is the likelihood of its potential impact on the consumers of other power distribution companies operating in the country’s commercial capital.
 
Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
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