Govt to Likely Raise Power Tariff Amid Power Cuts in Keralam

Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam is facing the prospect of a power tariff hike following the power cuts in the state. The UDF government, which has left Keralam in the dark, is purchasing electricity at nearly three times the price to cover its failure, and the additional financial burden will be imposed on consumers through a tariff hike.

KSEB Chairman M G Rajamanikyam said electricity worth more than Rs 1,500 crore had been purchased over three months. Asked whether electricity tariffs would be increased, he said details of the large-scale power purchases would be submitted to the regulatory committee, which would take the decision.

Meanwhile, the government directed the KSEB again last Thursday to intensify power restrictions. Restrictions will continue during peak hours from 7 pm to midnight, when electricity demand is higher.

The Energy Department has also asked the KSEB to reduce consumption during peak hours and shift the period of higher load to between 9 am and 4 pm. It has also directed that Water Authority pumping operations be shifted to daytime and that the operations of industries working on shifts be rescheduled to off-peak or solar hours.