Raipur, June 15 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved new electricity tariffs for the 2026–27 financial year, with domestic rates rising by 30 to 50 paise per unit and non‑domestic rates increasing by 20 to 40 paise per unit.

Agricultural pumps will also see a 40-paise-per-unit hike, though farmers have been granted a higher rebate on non‑subsidised connections, raised from 30 per cent to 40 per cent.

The electricity distribution company had initially proposed a steep hike of 8.40 paise per unit, amounting to a 24 per cent increase. After scrutiny, the Commission approved a more modest rise of 7.13 paise per unit, translating into an average increase of 6.23 per cent. Even so, the decision is expected to weigh on household budgets and farming costs.

The average billing rate for 2026–27 has been fixed at Rs 6.71 per unit, which is 42 paise lower than the average cost rate of Rs 7.13 per unit.

Alongside tariff changes, several structural adjustments have been introduced. Electricity tariffs for local body offices, student hostels in rural areas and certain public utilities have been shifted to the domestic category, easing costs for these institutions.

Farmers continue to enjoy approval for using lights and fans up to 100 watts near pumps for field‑related needs, Commission officials told media here on Monday.

Other changes include a revision of the delayed payment surcharge from 1.5 per cent per month to 0.04 per cent per day, adjustments in rebates for prepaid meter consumers, and the extension of electric vehicle charging tariffs to those opting for minus metering.

Commission members Vinod Ganodwale (Legal) and Ajay Kumar Singh (Technical), along with Secretary Surya Prakash Shukla, explained that while the distribution company projected electricity sales of 38,729 million units and an Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of Rs 32,520 crore, the Commission approved sales of 39,760 million units and an ARR of Rs 28,348 crore.

The company had claimed a revenue deficit of Rs 6,304 crore, but the Commission’s review reduced this figure to Rs 1,662 crore.

While the Commission has sought to balance consumer interests with financial sustainability, the hike will undeniably pinch pockets across the state, making electricity more expensive in the months ahead.

–IANS

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