Electricity consumers are not likely to see any major relief in current consumption charges they pay if the billing period is changed to monthly from bi-monthly (as done now), according to Coimbatore Consumer Cause.
The consumer organisation has said in a press release that according to a tariff order issued by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission in 2014, tariff is specified for monthly billing and if it bi-monthly billing, the slab rate is just double for two months: those who consume up to 50 units a month or 100 units for two months, those who consumer 51 units to 100 units a month or 101 units to 200 units in two months, etc.
If an electricity consumer has consumed 1,000 units of power in two months, and monthly billing is made, the tariff would work out to Rs. 2,715 a month and the consumer will have to shell out Rs. 5,430 for two months and not a lesser amount.
Thus, the consumer will not save any amount but will have to make a payment every month.
The department will have to assess the current consumption charges every month. “We are surprised that such an issue has been raised now even though the previous tariff orders have also had similar slabs. The high rates incurred now are because of the tariff and not because of billing,” said K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause.
The consumer organisation has said in a press release that according to a tariff order issued by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission in 2014, tariff is specified for monthly billing and if it bi-monthly billing, the slab rate is just double for two months: those who consume up to 50 units a month or 100 units for two months, those who consumer 51 units to 100 units a month or 101 units to 200 units in two months, etc.
If an electricity consumer has consumed 1,000 units of power in two months, and monthly billing is made, the tariff would work out to Rs. 2,715 a month and the consumer will have to shell out Rs. 5,430 for two months and not a lesser amount.
Thus, the consumer will not save any amount but will have to make a payment every month.
The department will have to assess the current consumption charges every month. “We are surprised that such an issue has been raised now even though the previous tariff orders have also had similar slabs. The high rates incurred now are because of the tariff and not because of billing,” said K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause.