Power consumers in the rural areas of the state will finally shell out more, with the BJP-JJP government finally imposing 2% panchayat tax on the power bills of the consumers falling within the limits of the gram panchayats.
Over one and a half years after the Haryana Cabinet okayed the proposal, the Power Department has decided to implement the decision aimed at netting an amount of Rs 100-125 crore annually for rural development.
The blueprint for the implementation of the decision was chalked out at a recent meeting of the board of directors of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN).
Sources said it was decided at the meeting that the amount of the panchayat tax shall first be adjusted against the electricity bills of the respective gram panchayats. The balance amount would be refunded to the panchayats through the Power Department for development works in the rural areas.