KSEB set to collect surcharge from October

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will collect thermal fuel surcharge of 25 paise per unit from consumers from October 1.The surcharge, to recoup money spent by the Board on purchase of power from outside the state between October 2010 and March 2011, will be collected only for monthly consumption in excess of 120 units.KSEB officials said the surcharge will be effective on consumption for six months from October 1, or until Rs. 181.14 crore - the total amount due - is recouped, whichever is earlier.In July, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission had allowed the KSEB to collect the surcharge for six months from August 1.The t o t a l amount Rs. 181.14 crore included Rs. 30.85 crore due for the April-September 2010 quarter.According to the original order, the surcharge was to be made applicable to all consumers except those who had a monthly consumption below 20 units.T h i s w o u l d have resulted in the surcharge being applicable to the large majority of the KSEB’s one crore-plus consumers, a proposition which led the state government to dither all this while.