BHOPAL: More than 62 lakh consumers, who are getting power at flat rate of Rs 200 per month will now have to pay just Rs100. In case consumption crosses 100 units, they will have to pay for additional consumption as per tariff approved by Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC).As of now, tariff for power consumption between 101 and 300 units is Rs 6 per unit, plus fixed charges.The decision of government to put a cap in terms of 100 units per months is likely to hit ineligible people who were enjoying benefits of the Saral Bijli Scheme announced a couple of months before polls by the previous government.The previous government had announced two schemes in June 2018 - Mukhyamantri Bakaya Bill Maafi Scheme 2018 (power outstanding waiver scheme) and Saral Bijli Bill scheme (scheme for providing power at flat rate of Rs 200 per month to unorganized sector workers).Both schemes came into effect from July 1, 2018. Under the Saral Bijli Bill scheme, consumers from unorganized sector are required to pay Rs 200 per month for power consumption from July 2018 onwards.In it's 'vachan patra' or manifesto before the assembly polls , the Congress had promised consumers would have to pay Rs 100 for 100 units.Now, the cabinet had approved the scheme and it will soon come into effect. "As of now, little time is left as poll code would be announced anytime next month. Thus to start off, 62 lakh consumers who are already enrolled in the Saral Bijli Bill Scheme would be entitled for this benefits, but eventually the scheme would be extended to all consumers who are having consumption of 100 units per month," said a senior official, wishing anonymity.There are around 62 lakh consumers who had been registered under the old scheme, the old scheme had a capping of 1 kilowatt consumption wherein AC and heaters were not allowed, but it did not have any capping on units consumed directly, now there would be a capping of 100 units consumption, thus if the beneficiary consumes more than 100 units then he/she would be liable for paying for the additional consumption as per the rates approved by the MPERC, the official said.Sources said thousands of people who are enjoying flat power at Rs 200 per month, despite the fact their consumption is above 500 units per month.In central discom alone, there are close to 12,000 such consumers whose monthly consumption is above 500 units per month i.e., normally their power bill would be Rs 3,800 per month as per normal tariff.But they are paying only Rs 200 per month, now these consumers will also have to cough up for consumption made by them above the first 100 units consumed.

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