Electricity Bills Hike: The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has given another big blow of inflation to the people of the state. KERC has announced a hike of 36 paise per unit in electricity rates from April 1.
According to the latest order of KERC, the increased rates are to cover the pension and gratuity expenses of power transmission and ESCOM employees. Reacting to the tariff revision, Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil clarified that this hike will not affect the common people. Speaking to TV9, he said that this decision will not affect the ‘Griha Jyoti Yojana’, which provides 200 units of free electricity.
He said, “This hike applies only to those who consume more than 200 units of electricity. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is misleading people by favouring the rich. The government has not increased the rates. KERC has done so. BJP’s allegations are baseless.”
BJP criticized the government
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has attacked the ruling Congress over the hike in power prices. BJP state president BY Vijayendra strongly criticised the state government at Vidhana Soudha, claiming that the burden of price hike has increased on Karnataka under the current administration.
He said, “The government is only focusing on increasing costs. First, they promise free electricity, but then they burden people with price hikes. The PWD department has pending bills of Rs 8,000 crore, and many other departments are struggling financially. We will raise this issue in the Assembly.”
Inflation hits people
– Recently the fare of Namma Metro was increased.
– KSRTC and BMTC bus fares have already been increased.
– The government had also approved the increase in auto fares a few days ago.
With the latest revision in electricity tariff, many believe that the cost-of-living crisis in Karnataka has reached a peak. As the political debate heats up, people are waiting for more clarity on whether relief measures will be introduced to ease their financial burden.
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