Electricity consumers in Uttarakhand are set to face higher power bills in April as the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited has approved an additional surcharge under the Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) mechanism. The surcharge will range from 11 paise to 47 paise per unit across different consumer categories.
Officials said the increase is linked to higher electricity procurement costs incurred by UPCL in the previous month. As per regulatory norms, any additional cost of power purchase beyond approved rates is passed on to consumers through FPPCA, while lower costs can result in rebates.
The surcharge will be applied only to the current billing cycle, though future adjustments will depend on market rates of electricity procurement. Authorities noted that power demand often exceeds supply during certain periods, forcing utilities to purchase electricity at higher prices from the open market.
For domestic consumers, the hike will range between 11 to 31 paise per unit, while non-domestic users will see an increase of around 44 paise. Industrial consumers (LT and HT) will face an additional 40 paise per unit, and temporary connections for construction work may see the highest increase of up to 47 paise per unit.
Compared to March, when tariffs rose sharply by up to ₹1.27 per unit in some categories, the April increase is relatively lower. However, the recurring monthly adjustments highlight volatility in electricity pricing and raise concerns over affordability for households and small businesses.
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The FPPCA mechanism, applicable across power utilities in the country, ensures cost recovery for distribution companies but continues to place a variable financial burden on consumers depending on market conditions.uttarakhand electricity bill hike
