Electricity rates set to surge in January, Jharkhand consumers brace for impact

Ranchi: A fiscal burden looms for the 58 lakh electricity consumers in the state as the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission gears up to unveil revised electricity rates for the year 2023-24 by the end of January. Commission member Technical Atul Kumar disclosed that the Jharkhand State Electricity Distribution Corporation has sought opinions on objections raised during the public hearing, and an advisory committee meeting will be convened following the corporation’s response.

The proposed rates, set to be announced this month, come after the last revision in June 2023. The distribution corporation is targeting a revenue of Rs 9302.94 crore from the electricity bill tariff. This includes Rs 5276.31 crore from domestic consumers, Rs 1080.29 crore from commercial consumers, Rs 81.92 crore from SS category consumers, Rs 371.14 crore from LT connections, Rs 161.49 crore from irrigation, Rs 2735.01 crore from HT connections, Rs 74 crore from Railways, and Rs 12.80 crore from MES.

The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission is currently deliberating on the tariff petition for the financial year 2024-25. After finalizing rates for 2023-24, the commission will initiate the public hearing process for the subsequent financial year, covering electricity rates for both 2023-24 and 2024-25. Consumers are advised to brace themselves for the potential impact on their electricity bills in the coming months.