Raipur, Jul 11 (PTI) The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) on Friday effected an average hike in power tariffs by 1.89 per cent in all categories of consumers over the existing rates, officials said.

The new tariffs have been made effective from July 1.

In order to encourage installation of mobile towers for strengthening communication system in Left- wing extremism (LWE)-affected districts, a provision of 10 per cent rebate in energy charges has been made on all cellphone towers in these areas, an official statement said.

The discount in energy charge to hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centres in rural areas and tribal-dominated Surguja (north Chhattisgarh) and Bastar (south Chhattisgarh) will continue to be 5 per cent.

However, electricity tariffs for domestic consumers have been increased by Rs 0.10 to Rs 0.20 per unit, which will impact around 60 lakh consumers.

Electricity services are managed by three separate state-run companies dedicated to generation, transmission and distribution.

Power tariffs have been increased by only an average 1.89 per cent as compared to prevailing rates which is "nominal", Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Ltd Bhim Singh Kanwar said in a statement.

Rates have been increased in some sections for agricultural consumers whose burden is borne by the state government, hence agricultural consumers will not have to bear any additional burden. Apart from this, rebates have been hiked or kept unchanged for temporary connections, tribal areas, flattened rice (poha) units and printing press, among others, he said.

The cost of electricity to Chhattisgarh State Electricity Company is Rs 7.02 per unit whereas power is supplied to domestic consumers at a minimum rate of Rs 4.10 paise per unit. Electricity rates for lower middle class domestic consumers have been increased by 10 paise per unit and rates for other domestic consumers have been raised by 20 paise per unit, Kanwar informed.

Electricity used in 'gaushala' (cowsheds) and homestays in Bastar and areas under South Area Tribal Development Authority and Surguja, and under North Area Development Authority have been included in the domestic consumer category for applying rates, he said.

In order to encourage installation of mobile towers to strengthen communication system in LWE- affected districts notified by the state government, a provision of 10 per cent rebate in energy charges has been provided, the official said.

Electricity rates for agricultural pumps have been increased by 50 paise per unit. However, since the electricity bills of agricultural pumps are paid by the state government, consumers in this category will not be affected by the hike, he said.

Electricity tariffs for non-domestic consumers have been increased by 25 paise per unit.

Rebate of 10 per cent on energy charge to industrial entities and business activities run by registered women self- help groups (SHGs) will continue. Also, 5 per cent rebate in charges of prevailing electricity rates for hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic centres operating in rural areas, Bastar and South Area Tribal Development Authority, Surguja and North Area Development Authority will continue as before.

He said 5 per cent rebate in energy charges for poha and 'murmura' (puffed rice) mills has been increased to 10 per cent. Rebate of 0.50 per cent given to consumers making advance payment has been increased to 1.25 per cent, he said.

Slamming the ruling BJP for the hike, head of the state Congress communication wing Sushil Anand Shukla alleged the state government has failed to meet supply of electricity and despite that it has been increasing power tariffs.

The opposition party dubbed the tariff hike as an "atrocity" on state residents.

"A hike in power tariffs will further burden people. This decision is an atrocity on people. The government has increased power tariffs by 19.31 per cent in the last one-and-a half years. The common citizen is upset with the rising electricity bills," he claimed. PTI TKP RSY