Kolkata: The state has witnessed significantly lesser increase in power tariff in the past seven years, compared to the period between 2008 and 2011, during the erstwhile Left Front government's regime.
Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, the state Power minister, informed the state Assembly in reply to a question that there was an increase in power tariff by 269 paise per unit between 2008 to 2011, while the same between the 2011-12 and 2017-18 fiscals has been 107 paise per unit.
The state Power minister also maintained that the power tariff in the state is much lower compared to most other states. It is also lower in Kolkata than other cities in the country.
He stated that in the past seven years, the number of power consumers in the state has doubled and the number of industrial consumers has been 1.27 lakh and 97,407 in 2018 and 2017 respectively. The number was 78,074 in 2011.
Chattopadhyay said that all steps have been taken to ensure power supply in every nook and cranny of the state and at the same time, the number of consumers has also increased.
Citing the reasons behind the minimum increase in power tariff, the minister said it is the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission that regulates it and there are certain factors that led to the minimum increase in power tariff.
He said: "Coal price has gone up by 77.10 percent, while clean energy cess has increased by 800 percent, between 2011 and 2018."
In reply to a question related to introduction of the monthly billing system, Chattopadhyay said that the matter would be discussed. But it might lead to an increase in power tariff, as there would be necessity for more manpower.