• Sanjeevana

Electricity bills Can Tell a Story

I have often heard people expressing surprise at the sudden spurt in their electricity bills. While they ponder over the source of additional consumption, a comparison of their previous and current bills may answer their query. Power tariff in Noida, for instance, is regulated by the UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC). A domestic supply bill comprises fixed charges based on per kilovolt (kVA) load a household has opted for/entitled to and the current meter reading of the power consumed. If one has a 3 kVA load at a monthly rate of Rs 150 each, the fixed charges will be Rs 450 a month. This has to be paid even if a single unit of power has not been consumed.

The metered charges are based on tariff slabs – e.g 0-50 units may be Re 1/unit; 51-100 may be Rs 1.50 and 101-150 may be Rs 2/unit and so forth.

The UPERC has to walk a tightrope between consumers and loss-making discoms in the state. An outright tariff hike can invite widespread public protest with opposition parties throwing in their hats in the melee. So, the tariff slabs are tampered with. For example, the 0-50 units slab may be reduced to 0-25 units and likewise other slabs. Sometimes the fixed charges are raised. In either case, the electricity bill increases. This exercise is often undertaken.

(Note: In case of private group housing societies, the tariff may be based on an agreement between builder and the discom concerned. Normally, the per unit rate is steeper).

Electricity is an essential service and affects all readers/people. The billing system may be different in other states but an understanding of the issue is an important aid for editing such a copy. In order to have a clear picture of the matter, a copy editor must ask relevant questions to the reporter concerned. Often such reports are so officialese that they must be rewritten so that a reader understands why he/she will have to pay more. In such a case, it is the copy editors responsibility to provide a simple but clear picture of the issue.

(To Be Continued)

Written by Robina Gagerna
former Assistant News Editor - Times of India
currently Visiting Faculty at Sanjeevana

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