Lucknow: Electricity consumers in Uttar Pradesh will have to pay higher power bills from June after the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)
decided to levy an additional surcharge under the Fuel and Power Purchase Adjustment Surcharge (FPPAS) mechanism. According to an order issued by UPPCL, the surcharge will be added to upcoming electricity bills, resulting in an increase of nearly 10 per cent in the amount consumers pay. The additional charge will be collected separately from the regular electricity tariff. Also Read: Your Electricity Bill May Soon Increase — Even If You Use Less Electricity UPPCL officials said the surcharge has been imposed to recover higher fuel and power purchase costs incurred by electricity distribution companies. Under the FPPAS mechanism, utilities are allowed to pass on fluctuations in fuel and power procurement expenses to consumers. The move comes at a time when many parts of the state have reported power cuts and supply disruptions during the peak summer season, when electricity demand is at its highest. The increase will affect domestic, commercial and other categories of consumers, although the exact impact will depend on electricity consumption and tariff category. Consumer groups have raised concerns over the additional burden, saying people are already facing rising household expenses. Some consumers have also questioned the timing of the hike amid complaints of frequent power outages in several districts. Defending the decision, UPPCL said the surcharge is being imposed as per regulatory provisions and is necessary to maintain the financial health of power distribution companies. With the revised bills set to be issued from June, consumers across Uttar Pradesh are expected to see higher electricity charges in the coming weeks.
