ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has authorized an increase in the base power tariff for services, bulk, and agricultural consumers. The government has already come under harsh fire for having a budget that is heavily taxed.
According to The News, the cabinet decided to raise the base rate by Rs. 8.04 for commercial customers, Rs. 6.62 for agricultural consumers, Rs. 6.96 for general services, and Rs. 5.96 for bulk consumers.
Government sources claim that the federal cabinet approved the increase in base electricity tariff for commercial customers by Rs8.04, and that starting this month (July), the base tariff would be raised to a maximum of Rs77.15 per unit for these customers.
The base price for agricultural consumers has increased to Rs46.83 per unit and for general services to Rs61.03 per unit as a result of the hike.
On the other hand, bulk buyers would pay Rs59.96 a unit starting in July, following a hike of Rs5.51 per unit. Nonetheless, the industrial consumers’ base power cost was preserved by the government.
The cabinet decision has been reported to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). The federal government is prepared to announce an increase in the base electricity tariff following Nepra’s approval.
The base energy cost for domestic consumers has been approved to increase by Rs7.12 per unit by the federal cabinet.
For three months, from July to September 2024, all domestic consumers up to 200 units per month will be excluded from the hike.
It is suggested that the base power pricing increase for home and other consumers take effect on July 1.
