MUMBAI: The Centre's decision to levy cess on coal is set to add to aam admi's burden.
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, while presenting Union Budget 2010-11, had announced a 'clean energy cess' of Rs 50 on every tonne of coal purchased by power generation companies. Now, the over two crore-odd consumers of Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) will have to shell out little more for power. Currently, the minimum power rate for below poverty line families is 65 paisa per unit, while it's Rs 2.5 per unit for those above poverty line.
Mukherjee had, in his Budget speech, said that the Centre would mobilise Rs 3,250 crore for 'national clean energy fund' to promote non-conventional energy projects.
"In Maharashtra, we will have to pay Rs 200 crore towards the new cess. We have no option but to pass on the additional financial burden to the consumers. We are working out the exact additional cost per unit,'' a senior official told TOI on Wednesday.
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