BEST to hike power tariff from June 1

Mumbai: Residents who get power from BEST should prepare for a tariff hike from June 1.The hikes range from 8% to 38%. 

    The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC),whichhas posted the new rates on its website, said in the low tension category, for below poverty line users, the tariff of 50 paise per unit has been hiked to 62 paise per unit (24%). For residential consumers, the tariff of Rs4.05 per unit has been hiked to Rs 5.25 per unit (30%). For commercial users up to 20 kw, the price of Rs 7.10 per unit has been hiked by authorities to Rs 9.46 per unit (33%). Similarly, the commercial category of 20-50 kw has been hiked from Rs 8.58 per unit to Rs 10.9 per unit (26%). 

    BEST deputy general manager Atul Patil said that the hike had come after over two years. It will mean higher bills for crematoriums and burials grounds in the city, which will see their tariffs go up by 37%. 

    Hospitals and educational institutions, which come under 20 kw, will have to bear with a 38% hike in tariffs, while hospitals and educational institutions above the 20 kw category will have an 8% hike. In the high tension category, industrial consumers will see a 33% hike and commercial 36%. Group housing societies will see a 32% hike. 

    MERC also decided to allow cross-subsidies in some categories.