Reliance Energy has appealed to its consumers to use less power, in response to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's order asking people to curb power consumption in the month of May and June.

The company has asked consumers to switch off neon signs, hoardings and flood lights on their establishments, from 6.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m. during the two months.

Reliance Energy also said that a 'load management charge' will be levied on all consumers, whose consumption exceeds 500 units per month in the billing months of May and June.

This charge will be levied at the rate of Re 1 per unit for the electricity consumed in excess of 80 per cent of the consumption recorded in the corresponding billing months of 2004.

Similarly, those whose consumption is less than 80 pre cent as compared to the corresponding period in 2004 will be get a 'load management rebate' of 50 paise per unit.

In the case where the consumers are required to be provided with the time of day (ToD) meters, however, the above benchmark period, charge and rebate will apply only to consumption recorded from 6.00 p.m to 10.00 p.m.

Wherever corresponding billing months of year 2004 are not existing, previous billing month will be taken into consideration for calculating surcharge or rebate, the company said in a press release.