Unified electricity tariff & cash allowance for low income groups: Minister

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said he believes that low income families should be given a direct cash allowance while imposing the realistic cost of Rs 56.90 for all layers.

Minister Wijesekara on his twitter commenting about the CEB tariff structure said for an uninterrupted power supply for 2023, CEB estimates 1 unit of electricity will cost Rs 56.90.

He noted that the current average tariff is at Rs 29.14  and  the Deficit is estimated to be Rs 423.5 Billion.

There are 6,709,574 domestic consumers according to CEB billing data, he said.

Giving a breakdown he said  0-30 units has 1,460,828 consumers and pay Rs 8 per unit while 30-60 units has 1,683,172 consumers and pay Rs 10 per unit. He said 60-90 units has 1,702,515 consumers  pay Rs 16 per unit. While 90-180 units has 1,559,131 consumers and pay Rs50 per unit.

The number using above 180 units  are 303,928 consumers paying Rs75 per unit

“Lower layers are heavily subsidized & top layer pays over the avg cost of a unit to compensate a part of the subsidy. Balance subsidy is borne by the treasury. My personal opinion is that every layer should be Rs 56.90 per unit and a direct cash allowance for low income families,” he said.