Kochi, July 14: The Kerala government's decision, hiking electricity tariff for all domestic and commercial consumers last year, was today upheld by the Kerala High Court. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice J L Gupta and Justice A K Basheer, upheld the government order, dated August 28, 2002, while dismissing nine public interest litigations, challenging the revision.

The government had also decided to impose a surcharge of 50 paise per unit for all categories of consumers with effect from August 28, 2002, which was also allowed by the court. The bench held that the tariff hike was not without authority.

Bureau Report