Thiruvananthapuram:
Faced with a grim power crunch, electricity charges for household customers in Kerala was today sharply increased to Rs 10 per unit for consumptions above 300 units a month.
This was decided by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) after considering the proposals given by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to tide over the situation by strictly controlling consumption, SERC sources said.
The consumers limiting their use up to 300 units would continue to be charged at the present levels, depending upon the slab to which they belong.
The Commission also gave approval to the proposal to impose a virtual 10 per cent cut for non-domestic Low Tension customers like shops and business enterprises. Those consuming above the 90 per cent of their current level would have to pay Rs 10 per unit for excess use.
The SERC, however, rejected KSEB proposal that sought to fix the normal tariff limit for household consumers to 150 units a month and realising split-tariff for consumption above that level.
Agricultural connections have been exempted from the split-tariff norm.
Relying heavily on hydel sources for electricity, Kerala has been facing an acute power shortage in the last couple of months with the storage level in reservoirs depleting with the onset of summer.
Part of the deficit has been made up by additional draw from the central pool.
A 30-minute peak-time load-shedding has already been in force in the state for the last few weeks.