NEPRA Approves Government's Request for Power Tariff Hike

Introduction:

In a recent decision, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved the government’s request to raise the basic electricity tariff by up to Rs7.5 per unit. The increase will be implemented across different consumption slabs, except for lifeline consumers who will remain exempted from the hike.

The Tariff Increase Details:

According to the notification sent to the federal government, the basic electricity tariff will witness an increase from Rs3 to Rs7.5 per unit, varying for different consumption brackets. Domestic consumers using up to 100 units per month will experience a Rs3 hike, while those consuming 101 to 200 units will see a Rs4 increase. Similarly, consumers using 201 to 300 units per month will encounter a Rs5 rise, and for those utilizing 301 to 400 units, the increase will be Rs6.5 per unit. Lastly, consumers using 400 to 700 units per month will face a significant increase of Rs7.5 per unit.

Govt Decides to Increase Power Tariff by Up to Rs7.50 per Unit

Impact on Average Tariff:

With this latest tariff hike, the average tariff per unit will rise from Rs35.42 to Rs42.72. Considering the imposition of the sales tax, the per unit rate of electricity will reach Rs50.

Exemption for Lifeline Consumers:

To provide relief to low-income households, NEPRA has decided to exempt lifeline consumers from the electricity tariff hike. Lifeline consumers are those whose electricity consumption falls within a specific range defined by NEPRA, and they will not be affected by the increase.

Effective Date and Implementation:

The increase in power tariff will be effective from July 1, as the federal government will soon issue a notification after receiving NEPRA’s approval.

Conclusion:

NEPRA’s approval of the government’s request for a power tariff hike has raised concerns among consumers, as the increase will impact monthly electricity bills across different consumption categories. While lifeline consumers are relieved from the hike, others may need to adjust their energy usage to cope with the rising costs. As the increase takes effect, consumers are urged to be mindful of their electricity consumption and seek energy-saving measures to mitigate the impact on their household budgets.