Chennai: Domestic electricity consumers across the state, whose bi-monthly consumption does not exceed 500 units, will receive free power up to 200 units from the next billing cycle as the TNPDCL has updated its billing software.A recent communication from the accounts branch of the discom to all field chief engineers confirmed that the billing software has been updated for eligibility validation, subsidy calculation, bill generation, and accounting provisions. It directed the senior officials to apprise the assessors of the new provision to ensure that all eligible consumers get 200 units of free power.Chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s maiden signature after taking oath was to make up to 200 units of electricity free for eligible consumers.Of the 2.46 crore domestic consumers, 67 lakh service consumers consume less than 100 units every two months and don’t pay any charges. With free power extended up to 200 units, the number of consumers paying zero electricity bills will increase to 1.2 crore. Another 85.83 lakh consumers will pay ₹235 less on their electricity bills. According to TNPDCL data, 34.24 lakh consumers, who consume more than 500 units, will continue to get the old benefit of 100 free units only.TNPDCL officials said the announcement was made on May 10, and the billing software was immediately updated. “Services with a less than 500-unit consumption pattern will see their bills reduced by ₹235 in the next cycle,” said an official.Even as they welcome the initiative, experts say the TNPDCL cannot follow the state govt’s direction, ignoring the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC). “Tariff determination TNERC’s responsibility. TNPDCL should formally communicate the govt’s decision to the regulatory commission and get its due approval before implementing the scheme,” said Neelakanta Pillai, a consumer activist.TNPDCL officials said that it is the govt’s policy decision to waive power bills for economically weaker sections, and the govt has agreed to bear the subsidy cost. “
