SRINAGAR: Electricity consumers across Jammu and Kashmir will pay revised tariffs from Tuesday, with an average 6.83 per cent increase approved by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (JERC-JKL) coming into force from September 1.
The revised tariff will apply to electricity consumed between September 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027, covering the remainder of the 2026-27 financial year.
For metered domestic consumers, the energy charge has been fixed at Rs 2.45 per unit for monthly consumption up to 200 units, Rs 4.20 per unit for consumption between 201 and 400 units and Rs 4.60 per unit for consumption above 400 units. The fixed charge has been revised to Rs 10 per kW per month.
The new tariff regime also introduces Time-of-Day (ToD) billing for consumers with a sanctioned load of more than 10 kW, except those in the agricultural category. Under the system, electricity charges will vary depending on the period during which power is consumed, with separate rates for specified peak and off-peak hours.
The revision follows JERC’s assessment of the revenue requirements of the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
The commission assessed the combined annual revenue requirement of the two distribution companies at Rs 10,275.72 crore, against projected revenue of Rs 7,352.87 crore under existing tariffs, resulting in a gap of Rs 2,922.85 crore.
According to the commission, recovering the entire shortfall through consumer tariffs would have required an increase of around 40 per cent. However, financial support of Rs 2,420.78 crore committed by the JK Government helped restrict the average tariff increase to 6.83 per cent.
The tariff increase has drawn political criticism and triggered protests in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with opposition parties and groups raising concerns over the additional financial burden on consumers and the government’s earlier commitment regarding 200 units of free electricity.
With the revised tariff now in effect, electricity bills will reflect the new rates for consumption recorded from September 1.
