Power bill of TN electric crematoriums likely to triple

CHENNAI: Electric crematoriums in Tamil Nadu will have to pay Tangedco triple the charges for electricity consumption if the proposed tariff revision by the utility is approved by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC).
While the funeral services are already free only on paper, the proposed revision will give one more excuse to those who manage the crematoriums to fleece the bereaved who want to lay their beloved to rest in peace, say activists.
The crematoriums are currently under the domestic slab (LT-IA) and hence are eligible for the subsidies because of which the local bodies could officially keep the funeral services free of cost for the public. Even if the proposed charges in the revised petitions are implemented, there will be a nominal difference in the electricity consumption charges if the electric crematoriums are maintained under the same category. However, by shifting the crematoriums to LT-IIA category, electric crematoriums will be charged Rs 8 per unit apart from a fixed charge of Rs 200 every two months. This means the local bodies should pay nearly triple the charges to Tangedo if the proposed changes come into effect.