The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed implementing new electricity tariffs in the state from April 1 and will conduct public hearings in four cities starting February 18 to gather feedback from consumers and stakeholders.
The proposal follows tariff petitions submitted by the state’s three power utilities, which together have sought an average increase of 18.50 percent. Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited has proposed a hike of 16.23 percent, while Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited has sought an increase of around three percent. For the first time, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited has proposed a negative tariff revision of minus 1.2 percent.
The regulatory commission has invited objections and suggestions from consumers and other stakeholders on these tariff petitions. Submissions can be made until January 31, after which the commission will proceed with public consultations.
As part of the consultation process, public hearings will be organised in two cities each in Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. In Garhwal, hearings will be held in Dehradun and Karnaprayag, while in Kumaon, Rudrapur and Munsiyari have been selected as venues.
Last year, similar hearings were conducted in Dehradun and Gopeshwar in Garhwal, and Rudrapur and Lohaghat in Kumaon. The commission has continued the practice of regional hearings to ensure wider public participation in tariff-related decisions.
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Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman M L Prasad said any consumer can place objections or suggestions during the hearings. He added that the commission will examine all submissions and facts before taking a final decision on the tariff proposal, after which the revised electricity rates will come into effect from April 1.
