Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today announced the decision of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to provide a subsidy on a part of the extra usage by consumers during the lockdown period.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said, “The electricity consumption usually increases from February to May but since this time there was a lockdown, the power consumption has increased drastically as all the family members were in the house.

As they were unable to take the readings due to the lockdown, consumers have got a consolidated bill for four months resulting in huge amounts. There has been no change in tariff structure or electricity rates. However, based on the complaints about huge bills, the government instructed the Electricity Board to look into the billing complaints and rectify any errors.

Accordingly, the Board has decided to give ample time for making payments in instalments. They have also informed that there will be no disconnection on account of non-payment of bills.”Some of the other decisions are:• Free electricity for those with a connected load of less than 500 watts, regardless of the amount of electricity used.• Those with a connected load of 1,000 watts and usage of up to 40 units per month, will be billed at Rs 1.50 per unit.• For usage of up to 50 units per month, 50% of the additional amount billed will be given as subsidy.• For usage of up to 100 units per month, 30% of the additional amount billed will be given as subsidy.• For usage of up to 150 units per month, 25% of the additional amount billed will be given as subsidy.• For usage of over 150 units per month, 20% of the additional amount billed will be given as subsidy.• Consumers can pay the electricity bill in up to five instalments.It is estimated that the Electricity Board will incur an additional liability of Rs 200 crores by providing this subsidy which would benefit about 90 lakh domestic consumers.Minister of Health & Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja and Chief Secretary, Dr Vishwas Mehta IAS, were also present for the briefing.