Rajasthan News: Electricity consumers in Rajasthan are set to face a significant financial hit as Discoms prepare to collect nearly ₹5,000 crore through a new fuel surcharge starting from September. The calculation method for recovering the millions paid to Adani for fuel (special fuel surcharge) has been revised after 23 months. Instead of being based on electricity consumption from January to March, the surcharge will now be calculated based on the average yearly consumption. This change is expected to primarily impact domestic consumers, with some even facing refunds.
Additionally, orders have been issued to recover approximately ₹4,400 crore in outstanding fuel surcharge from last year. Consumers will see an extra 13 paise per unit added to their bills for several months. The base fuel surcharge has also been increased from 54 paise to 57 paise per unit, resulting in a 3 paise per unit hike.
However, the government will bear the cost for agricultural consumers and those with consumption below 200 units. The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission’s order has been cited as the basis for these changes.
Three Ways Consumers Will Be Affected
- Change in Calculation Pattern: The state government paid ₹7,438 crore to Adani Power for coal, which is being recovered from consumers at 7 paise per unit over five years. Initially, the amount was added to bills based on the average electricity consumption from January to March 2022 for the past 23 months. Now, the calculation will be based on the average yearly consumption, as per the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission’s order. The amount will be calculated on a quarter of the units consumed. Any outstanding amounts will be added to future bills, while any overcharges will be adjusted in bills over the next 37 months.
- Outstanding Fuel Surcharge: Discoms will recover the outstanding fuel surcharge for January to June 2023, amounting to ₹2.23 per unit. This will bring in approximately ₹4,400 crore for the Discoms. To ease the burden on consumers, 13 paise per unit will be added to monthly bills for the next 11 to 12 months.
- Increase in Base Fuel Surcharge: The base fuel surcharge has been increased from 54 paise to 57 paise per unit, leading to a 3 paise per unit hike.
Consumers in Rajasthan will need to brace for the impact of these cumulative surcharges as they reflect in upcoming electricity bills.
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER
