Government’s IMF-Pressured Decision Results in Higher Electricity Bills for Consumers in March

As a consequence of the government’s tough decision under the pressure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), consumers will be facing increased electricity bills in March due to an additional surcharge. The export sector and agricultural consumers are expected to bear the brunt of this increase, with more than 60% and 50% of the bills respectively.

Following the abolition of subsidies, the tariff of the export sector has surged from nineteen rupees ninety-nine paise per unit to thirty-two rupees twelve paise. Additionally, the subsidy of three rupees sixty paise for agricultural consumers has been abolished, and they will have to pay three rupees for late payments. The power holding company will pay forty-three paise per unit for the surcharge imposed in the interest.

Apart from this, domestic consumers using 100 units of electricity will have to pay an extra Rs.275 paisa as surcharges. Customers using 400 units will have to bear the burden of late payments along with an additional surcharge of Rs.382 paise. In addition to this, separate payments will have to be made for monthly fuel adjustment.

The government has faced a lot of criticism from the public for its decision to increase electricity bills, especially for the common man. The citizens are already burdened with many other financial problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this new development has added to their woes. It remains to be seen how the government will address these concerns and provide relief to the masses.