The Himachal Pradesh government is considering reducing the recently hiked electricity duty imposed on industries within the state. The move follows the discontent expressed by Opposition legislators during the monsoon session. They demanded a reduction in hiked electricity tariff for industries and industry minister Hashwardhan Chauhan had assured them to reconsider the decision. Subsequently, the energy department has been directed to draft proposals for cabinet approval.
The proposal, which gained approval through cabinet members’ signatures in August, led to new electricity rates coming into effect for industries on September 1. Tariffs for domestic, agricultural, and irrigation consumers remained untouched.
Under the revised rates, the electricity duty for high tension (HT) industries surged from 11% to 19% .
