Maharashtra consumers set for a drop in power bills

MUMBAI: A recent ruling by the state power regulator could result in consumers saving money in their monthly bills and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) could end up collecting about Rs 80 crore less per month, a consumer body said here today.

In its ruling, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) had lowered some of the charges that would help both individual as well as commercial users by way of reduction in their monthly bills.

In a statement, Pratap Hogade, President Maharashtra State Power Consumers' Association said the group had lodged complaints with the MERC with regard to various charges being collected by MSEDCL from the consumers.

The consumers who would now pay their bills within seven days would get "prompt payment discount" of one per cent.

The statement said MSEDCL had collected about Rs 3,225 crore from industrial and commercial units by way of regulatory liability charge. MERC has ordered refund of Rs 500 crore from this amount between September 2007 and March 2008 and has even spelt out the way it should be refunded.

Accordingly, commercial establishments and industrial users would get refund at the rate of 24 to 28 paise per unit in their future bills, the statement added.