Another jolt to the struggling people came on Thursday when the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) announced a hefty hike in power tariffs.
The regulatory board has given notification of a Rs2.75 per unit rise in power tariffs, effective for the next three months, placing a hefty burden on customers totaling Rs85.2 billion.
The decision comes as NEPRA approves the second-quarter adjustment for fiscal year 2023-24. Despite a proposal from Distribution Companies (Discos) for a bigger rise of Rs4.43 per unit, NEPRA agreed to the Rs2.75 increase.
This increase, which will be reflected in bills for April, May, and June, is due to a variety of factors affecting the electricity sector’s operational expenses. NEPRA identified increased fuel prices and maintenance costs as the principal reasons for the tariff change.
However, NEPRA has exempted Lifeline customers who use up to 50 units from the price increase, intending to ease the strain on low-income households.
Furthermore, it is vital to note that this rate rise would also affect K-Electric customers, indicating a larger impact across many electrical suppliers.
While the decision seeks to balance the operational expenses of power generation and distribution, it affects customers who are already facing economic hardships. With inflationary pressures ongoing, this tariff increase may intensify financial strain for both consumers and companies.
Iqra Khan