Relief for KSEB consumers: GST scrapped for key electricity services

Thiruvananthapuram: The Ministry of Finance has issued a notification exempting GST on services related to electricity distribution and transmission provided to consumers. This follows a decision by the GST Council. Presently, services such as meter rent, meter replacement, line changes, application for new electricity connection and issuing duplicate bills are subject to an 18 per cent GST. However, the new notification states that GST will no longer apply to ancillary services related to transmission and distribution, which are required as part of providing electricity connections.

GST will not be applicable to meter rent or application fees. The exemption on GST for electricity bills, including application fees for new connections, will provide some relief to consumers. Although the notification has been issued, it is yet to be implemented in billing. 

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has not yet determined the specific services that will be exempted under this notification. Discussions are ongoing with the GST Department, and KSEB will decide how to implement the exemption.

Meter rent, currently ranging from Rs 6 to Rs 1,000 per month, will be exempted from tax under the notification. The exemption will apply based on the type of consumer and connection. For instance, domestic consumers with regular three-phase connections currently pay a monthly meter rent of Rs 30, plus 18 per cent GST (Rs 5.40). KSEB is now tasked with determining the categories of consumers who will benefit from the exemption, and discussions are underway with the GST Department to finalise the matter.