Jharkhand State Electricity Rates Remain Unchanged, Meter Rent Scrapped for Consumers

State Bureau, Ranchi: Electricity rates in the state will remain unchanged, with no increase in tariffs. In addition, electricity consumers receive double good news, as they will no longer have to pay meter rent. This decision will provide relief to approximately 5.4 million electricity consumers in the state.

The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission made this decision on Monday, rejecting the state power distribution corporation’s proposal (tariff petition) to increase rates. The corporation had proposed a 30.89% rate hike, but the commission argued that there was no reason to increase the rates. Consumers had also requested that no hike be made.

Public hearings were conducted in all five divisions, and the commission’s technical member, Atul Kumar, and legal member, Mahendra Prasad, stated that the Electricity Regulatory Commission has decided not to increase electricity rates. Rates had already been increased seven months ago.

Instructions to Reduce Loss to 13%:
The commission directed the corporation to reduce electricity losses (line loss) to 13%. The distribution corporation had proposed reducing losses to 30.28% for 2022-23, 23.99% for 2023-24, and 19.08% for 2024-25.

Other Decisions by the Commission:

• A 2% discount for consumers who pay their electricity bill within five days.
• A 1% discount for paying bills online or through digital modes within the specified period, with a maximum discount of ₹250.
• A discount on the power load factor for all consumers with a load factor exceeding 65%, with a maximum discount of up to 15%.
• Tariff for rooftop solar PV projects set at ₹4.16 per kWh and net metering at ₹3.80 per kWh.
• High-tension (HT) consumers must receive 23 hours of electricity, while low-tension (LT) consumers must receive 21 hours.
• A 3% discount on energy charges for consumers using prepaid meters. The security deposit will be fully refunded within a month.

Current Electricity Rates: