J&K consumers to pay higher power tariffs from September 1

SRINAGAR — Electricity consumers across Jammu and Kashmir will start paying higher tariffs from Tuesday as the revised power tariff approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (JERC-JKL) comes into effect from September 1.

The commission has approved an average 6.83% increase in retail electricity tariffs for the 2026-27 financial year. The revised rates will apply to electricity consumed from September 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.

For metered domestic consumers, the energy charge has been fixed at ₹2.45 per unit for monthly consumption of up to 200 units, ₹4.20 per unit for consumption between 201 and 400 units, and ₹4.60 per unit for consumption above 400 units.

The fixed charge has also been revised to ₹10 per kW per month.

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The revised tariff introduces Time-of-Day (ToD) billing for consumers with a sanctioned load exceeding 10 kW, except those in the agricultural category. Under the system, electricity charges vary according to the time of consumption, with different rates applicable during designated peak and off-peak periods.

The tariff revision follows JERC’s assessment of the revenue requirements of the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).

According to the commission’s order, the combined annual revenue requirement of the two distribution companies was assessed at ₹10,275.72 crore, while projected revenue at existing tariff levels was ₹7,352.87 crore, leaving a gap of ₹2,922.85 crore.

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The commission noted that meeting the entire gap through consumer tariffs alone would have required an increase of around 40%. The J&K Government has committed financial support of ₹2,420.78 crore, helping limit the average tariff increase to 6.83%.

The tariff revision has already drawn political criticism and protests across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly over the additional burden on consumers and the government’s earlier promise of 200 units of free electricity.

With the revised rates now operational, consumers will begin seeing the impact in bills based on electricity consumed from September 1.