THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, April 30: Electricity is set to become costlier in Jharkhand, as the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) has announced an average tariff hike of 6.34%, effective from May 1. The increase will impact both rural and urban consumers across domestic and commercial categories.
New Tariffs Across Consumer Categories
Urban domestic consumers will see their per-unit rate rise from ₹6.65 to ₹6.85, while rural domestic users will pay ₹6.70 per unit, up from ₹6.30. Commercial consumers in urban areas will now pay ₹6.70 per unit, an increase of 5 paise, whereas their rural counterparts will pay ₹6.20 per unit, up by 10 paise. Domestic high-tension (HT) commercial rates have also increased from ₹6.25 to ₹6.40 per unit. Notably, the fixed charges remain unchanged across all categories.
Consumer Breakdown
Jharkhand has a total of approximately 5.7 million electricity consumers, distributed as follows:
- Domestic: 5,080,569
- Commercial: 479,881
- Public lighting: 803
- Irrigation: 121,675
- Industrial LT: 20,550
- Industrial HT: 2,798
- Railways: 7
Free Electricity Scheme Continues
Despite the tariff hike, the state’s free electricity scheme remains in place. Launched in 2022 by the Hemant Soren-led government, the initiative initially provided 100 units of free electricity per month to domestic consumers. This cap was increased to 125 units in early 2024 and further extended to 200 units in June 2024. The scheme benefits approximately 4.1 million households, primarily in rural areas, and covers energy charges, fixed charges, and electricity duty for consumption up to 200 units per month.
Balancing Act Between Relief and Revenue
While the free electricity scheme offers significant relief to low-consumption households, the recent tariff hike reflects the state’s efforts to balance consumer support with the financial sustainability of its power sector. As energy costs rise, the government faces the challenge of maintaining subsidies while ensuring adequate revenue for infrastructure and service improvements.
For more information on the new tariffs and eligibility for the free electricity scheme, consumers are advised to contact their local electricity distribution offices or visit the official JSERC website.
