It is reported that the majority of the Public Utilities Commission has approved the increase in electricity tariffs by 66% effective from today (15).
When the proposal was discussed yesterday, only Chairman Janaka Ratnayake objected to it.
The proposal has been passed due to the agreement of the other three members.
The cabinet had approved the proposal to increase the electricity tariffs by 66% to generate an additional income of Rs. 287 billion for the Ceylon Electricity Board.
The proposal was referred to the Public Utilities Commission only after that.
But the Public Utilities Commission continuously delayed giving approval for that.
According to the proposals of all the parties, the Public Utilities Commission had prepared a 36% low electricity rate increase to generate an income of Rs. 142 billion.
Only the chairman approved it.
It has been rejected on the objection of the other three members.
After that, the proposal approved by the cabinet related to increasing electricity tariffs by 66% which was prepared by the Ceylon Electricity Board was approved.
Through this new tarrif proposal, groups consuming less than 90 units in the domestic sector will witness a 250% increase in rates.
Also, the current fee of Rs. 8 per unit will be increased to Rs. 30 in relation to the first 30 units under the domestic category.
It is proposed to increase the fee of Rs.10 to Rs.37 per unit for 31 to 60 units and Rs.16 to Rs.42 per unit for 61 to 90 units.
No change has been made for the category of 91 to 120 units and for the category of 121 to 180 units which has a current fee of Rs.50, as well as for each unit above 181 units which is Rs. 75 per unit.
Also, the fixed charges will also increase, and accordingly, the fixed charge for the first 30 units will be Rs. 400, for 31 to 60 units category fixed charges are increased to Rs.550, and the fixed charges for the category of 61 to 90 units has also been increased to Rs.650.
Also, the fixed charges for the category of 91 to 120 units will be increased to Rs. 1,500, and the fixed charges for 121 to 180 units will be increased to Rs. 1,500.
It has been proposed to increase electricity charges and fixed charges for religious places and charitable institutions, industrial sectors, public works, hotels, and government institutions.
For the industrial sector, the fee charged per unit under the first 300 units category has been increased from Rs.20 to Rs.26.