New Year, New Prices: Common People to Experience a Jolt with Electricity Bills

Lucknow (The Uttam Hindu): In Uttar Pradesh, electricity prices may rise in the upcoming financial year, with the public potentially facing a significant shock. According to a media report, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Corporation submitted a draft on November 30, indicating a deficit of around ₹12,800 to ₹13,000 crores. If this draft is approved by the Electricity Regulatory Commission, electricity rates in the state could increase by 15 to 20 percent.

The draft of the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for 2025-26, filed by the Electricity Corporation, shows a projected deficit. Last year’s ARR draft highlighted a deficit of ₹11,000 crores, with an annual requirement of ₹92,547 crores for the year 2023-24. For 2025-26, the corporation’s proposal includes a requirement of 16,000 crore units of electricity, with the deficit attributed to the rising costs of purchasing electricity, estimated to be between ₹92,000 crores and ₹95,000 crores.

Currently, electricity rates for domestic consumption in Uttar Pradesh are as follows:

- **Urban**:

- Up to 100 units: ₹5.50

- 101-150 units: ₹5.50

- 151-300 units: ₹6.00

- Above 300 units: ₹6.50

- **Rural**:

- Up to 100 units: ₹3.35

- 101-150 units: ₹3.85

- 151-300 units: ₹5.00

- Above 300 units: ₹5.50

In response to the proposed increase, Awadhesh Kumar Verma, President of the Consumer Council, criticized the Electricity Corporation for not including any proposal to reduce electricity rates despite the ₹33,122 crore pending dues owed by consumers to the corporations. He announced plans to file a protest with the Regulatory Commission, accusing the corporation of submitting a secretive proposal.