‘DMK promise won’t amount to much’

Changing the electricity bill cycle to a monthly one won’t provide much benefit, say experts

The DMK’s promise to convert the bi-monthly electricity bill cycle to a monthly one — ostensibly to reduce electricity charges — may have raised some people’s hopes.

But experts say it won’t provide consumers with significant monetary benefits. While it may reduce the amount outgoing from the family budget at a time, it is bound to overburden the work load of the assessors.

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) had clearly stated that there would be no reduction in electricity charges for those consuming above 500 units if they were to pay the bill on a per-month basis.

The mandatory free power units will merely drop to half the specified amount — 500 to 250 units — in that case.

The DMK’s announcement was prompted by complaints by many that paying the electricity charges was burdensome because the assessment was being carried out every two months. Those consuming over 500 units said they did not get the benefit of subsidy.

Though the Tangedco officials claimed the removal of subsidy would affect only 15 lakh consumers during the tariff revision carried out in December 2014, for those who have to pay the non-subsidised tariff, it is not a happy thought.