GUWAHATI, March 19 - The Federation of Industry & Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) has welcomed the announcement made by the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) on reduction of electricity tariff for the year 2020-21.
�There is an overall decrease of two per cent on electricity charges ranging from 15 paise to 40 paise per unit for various categories of consumers. The fixed charges have been increased marginally in a few categories in order to make APDCL a self-sustaining body to cover its fixed costs. This is for the third consecutive time that the charges of electricity have been reduced, with benefit to both consumers and APDCL,� FINER said in a statement.
In response to the public notice published in The Assam Tribune on November 27, 2019, FINER had on January 21, 2020, submitted its suggestions and objections against the proposed increase in power tariff in tariff petitions filed by APDCL, APGCL and AEGCL. Its suggestions and objections which were taken cognizance of, helped in rationalisation of power tariff in the State.
�Due to less amount of own generations in the State, Assam has to purchase power from outside States to meet its energy requirements, making the power cost in Assam one of the highest in the country. Power cost is Assam is still higher vis-�-vis its neighbouring States. An initiative of reduction in power cost will help in long-term development of the State,� it added.
FINER said that when the State is poised to take a leap forward in industrial activities and entrepreneurship development in the wake of the Assam Industrial Policy-2019 and NEIDS (North East Industrial Development Scheme), reduction of power tariffs in all sectors of energy consumers is going to play a major role in executing the commercial plans and give the policies the required push.
�The power purchase subsidy announced by the Government of Assam in its Budget 2020-21 has been instrumental in putting forward this decrease in overall power tariff of the State versus the steep increase proposed,� it said.
