• Proposes fixed monthly electricity charges of Rs200-675 for over 28.5m households
• Aims to raise Rs125bn to fund Rs4.04-per-unit relief for industry
• Nepra okays fuel adjustment; Feb bills to rise by Rs1.21 per unit

ISLAMABAD: The government has proposed imposing a monthly fixed charge of between Rs200 and Rs675 on more than 28.5 million residential electricity consumers to raise around Rs125 billion and fund a relief package of Rs4.04 per unit for industrial users.

The revised Schedule of Tariff (SoT) was submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Friday evening and was immediately put on notice for a customary public hearing on the first available date after the weekend for immediate implementation within the current month.

“This is just a procedural formality. The government guidelines are binding on Nepra,” an official said when asked about a short notice for a public hearing.

The power division told Nepra that the imposition of a fixed charge on almost all residential consumers (barring lifeline users permanently using less than 100 units per month) was approved by the federal cabinet on Feb 4.

The change in SOT comes in less than three weeks after the government had notified the base national average tariff on Jan 12 for application with effect from Jan 1, denying a benefit to consumers of about 62 paise per unit reduction determined by the........

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