SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024
Team Herald
PONDA: Upset with the increase in the power tariff by 3.5 per cent, the residents of Ponda have demanded that the government reduce the hike and provide relief to them.
Sharing her experience of increased electricity bills despite similar unit consumption, Sunayna Naik, a housewife from Ponda, fears an additional Rs 150 for the same units next month. She said that the new tariff will affect various consumer groups, those consuming around 300 units face an additional Rs 75, and those consuming 400 units face an additional Rs 125.
Sunayna said her four-member family on an average consumes around 308 units and had earlier received a bill Rs 968. In the last 32 days, the bill she received was Rs 1,668 for 440 units.
Displaying her past three bills, she said in the last two months her average unit consumption was 300 and 308 and the fuel and power purchase cost adjustment charge was Rs 88 and Rs 93 respectively. However, in her latest bill, for 440 units, she has been charged Rs 196, this means the government has already hiked rates by over Rs 100.
She now fears with the implementation of the new tariff, she may be charged an additional Rs 150 next month for consuming the same number of units.
She produced her bills and she said she uses a washing machine,TV,induction , iron and fans.
Sunayna explained that besides energy charges, the Electricity Department also adds fixed charges, electricity duty and public lighting to the bill.
Vishal Fadte, a resident from Ponda, demanded that the government reduce the hike and provide relief to the common man.
