Patna, Oct. 4: Bihar State Electricity Board’s recent decision to levy fuel surcharge of 79 paise for July has galvanised the industry bodies to take up the matter with the state government.

The decision of the state electricity board to impose fuel surcharge on a monthly basis would adversely affect industries, particularly the fledgling ones. The industries might fall sick if the present system of surcharge continues, they said.

A few days ago, industry bodies had accused National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of adopting a discriminatory approach towards Bihar and how it was charging significantly lower rates in Jharkhand while supplying power from the same thermal/hydel plants. Bihar Industries Association and Bihar Chamber of Commerce (BCC) have urged the state government to hold a high-level inquiry into NTPC’s discriminatory approach.

On September 30, the board imposed a fuel surcharge of 79 paise per unit for July, which would be realised in the October bill. Realising additional electricity tariff in the name of fuel surcharge has been in practice since January 2009 with retrospective effect.

BCC president O.P. Sah said: “This shows the board’s autocratic style of functioning which imposes fuel surcharge unilaterally. The board is actually passing on its inefficiency to the consumers. Nitish should order an inquiry into NTPC charging more tariff from Bihar and till then, the board should stop realising the tariff on account of fuel surcharge.”