Himachal’s move to waive off electricity charges for six months, a step in the right direction

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to waive off electricity charges for a period of six months, in a major relief to the travel and hospitality sector in the state. The move is expected to provide a relief of around Rs 15 crore.

The excise and taxation license fee would also be waived off, the government said.

A decision to this effect was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Jairam Thakur. A presentation was made in the Cabinet regarding steps taken for economic revival and economic reforms to be initiated by the state government after lockdown.

Several other states, including Kerala, had requested their respective governments to waive off the electricity charges for six months. But that demand was not met, and a decision was taken to merely defer it. Hospitality and travel industry players have said that this will only increase the burden on them, as they will have to pay the amount together after six months.