Power consumers in Punjab will get the benefit of the reduced tariff for an additional – from November 1 this year instead of December 1 – after the Cabinet Thursday approved a proposal, with the fresh decision coming in the run up to the Assembly polls.

The relief of an additional month will put a financial burden of Rs 151 crore on the exchequer, the government said in a statement. The decision will benefit nearly 69 lakh consumers out of the total 71.75 lakh. Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in October had announced to reduce the power tariff by Rs 3 per unit but had decided to notify the rolling out of the benefit from December 1. Power tariff and subsidy are major issues in Punjab and with the benefit not being reflected in October’s bills, the opposition parties had taken on the government accusing it of misleading the people.