In a populist decision ahead of this year’s Assembly election, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday announced a complete waiver of fuel surcharge for all domestic and agricultural power consumers in the State. The waiver was earlier applicable only to those consuming electricity up to 200 units in a month.
Making the announcement during the launch of the Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana at a programme here, Mr. Gehlot said the decision would put an extra burden of ₹2,500 crore, which would be borne by the State government. The public sector power distribution company will get the amount from the State government.
“It was a public demand that there should be no fuel surcharge for any consumer, whether domestic or agricultural. No consumers will be required to pay the surcharge ever after using more than 200 units of electricity,” Mr. Gehlot said. The surcharge was added to the electricity bills depending upon the prices of coal purchased for power production.
