Starting from August 1, residents of Chandigarh will have higher electricity bills, as new tariff rates have been approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for the financial year 2024-25. These revised tariffs put forward by the UT Electricity Department indicate an average increase of 9.40%.
Key Changes in Domestic Tariffs
The domestic customer’s fixed fee will jump from 15 to 30 rupees a month. For those consuming between 0 and 150 kWh (units), the price remains at Rs 2.75 per unit within a month. On the contrary, from Rs 4.25 it would go up to around Rs 4.80 in case someone is using between 151 and 400 kWh. In case one is using more than 400 kWh than before, the price per unit will rise from Rs 4.65 to Rs 5.40. For home high-tension users cost of a unit might increase from Rs 4.30 to around 4.90 again.
Adjustments to Commercial Tariffs
The major shift for non-residential and commercial buildings happens in the slab above 400 kWh monthly. For this group, the allowed rate would increase from Rs 5 to Rs 5.90 per unit.
Initial Proposals and Final Approval
The Electricity Department had initially proposed a more substantial increase, suggesting an average hike of 19.44%. The original proposal included raising the fixed charge in the domestic category from Rs 15 to Rs 40 per month. Additionally, for the 151-400 kWh slab, the department proposed increasing the rate from Rs 4.25 to Rs 4.90 per unit, and for the above 400 kWh slab, from Rs 4.65 to Rs 5.50 per unit. The high-tension domestic category was proposed to rise from Rs 4.30 to Rs 5 per unit.
Implications for Consumers
Residents and companies will be affected by the new rates in different ways. Higher power-use households will see a noticeable rise in their monthly expenses. Operational expenses will also rise for commercial organizations, especially for those with heavy energy use.
In summary
With JERC approval, the updated tariffs will take effect on August 1. Even though the rise is lower than first anticipated, Chandigarh’s electrical users will still need to make some significant adjustments. The goal of the decision is to encourage more cost-effective energy consumption and management by striking a balance between the UT Electricity Department’s financial demands and the effects on customers.
