Religious places will get reduced power tariff

Hyderabad: The northern and southern power distribution companies (discoms) have proposed to reduce power tariff for temples, masjids, churches, gurudwaras and crematoriums, from Rs 7 per unit to Rs 5 from April. Following requests from the managements of religious places, the discoms have placed the recommendation in their aggregate revenue requirements (ARR) for 2023-24 that they filed with the TS Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC).

The discoms proposed to retain the 2022-23 tariff for next 2023-24 for all categories except religious places. Under LT VII B category, while religious places will have modified tariff, the fixed/demand charges of Rs 21will be increased to Rs 30.

The discoms in their conditions stated that the religious institution owning the place of worship should be run on a no-profit basis; the institution should be registered under the Income-Tax Act, 1961; the premises shuold not be owned by individuals but by a religious institution or association of a community of not less than 15 persons.

Meanwhile, TSERC chairman T. Sriranga Rao said the proposals to reduce power tariff for religious places and government schools were under consideration.