Srinagar: Despite facing chronic power outages for much of the year, electricity consumers across Jammu and Kashmir will face a 6.83% hike in tariffs from September 1, as the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission cleared revised rates for JPDCL and KPDCL for 2026–27.
The order, effective till March 31, 2027, comes at a time when inflation and limited employment opportunities are already putting pressure on household budgets across the Union Territory.
The new tariff structure fixes domestic metered charges at Rs 2.45 per unit for up to 200 units, Rs 4.20 for 201–400 units and Rs 4.60 beyond 400 units, with a fixed charge of Rs 10 per kW per month.
Concessional rates remain for BPL families at Rs 1.40 per unit up to 30 units and for small agricultural consumers, who will pay Rs 1.05 per unit and Rs 23 per HP monthly.
Commercial users, however, will see sharper increases, with single-phase non-domestic consumers charged Rs 3.75 per unit up to 200 units and Rs 5.70 thereafter, along with a fixed charge of Rs 75 per kW per month.
Industrial consumers, EV charging stations, government departments, railway traction, bulk supply and temporary connections are also covered under the revised order. The Green Power Tariff continues at Rs 0.50 per kWh over the applicable rate.
The Commission has approved a combined Annual Revenue Requirement of Rs 10,275.72 crore for the two corporations. Projected revenue under the new tariff is Rs 7,854.94 crore, leaving a gap of Rs 2,420.78 crore to be met through government subsidy and grants.
Officials said recovering the entire gap through tariffs alone would have required a 40% hike, suggesting government support helped contain the increase.
However, many consumers argue that while power outages were earlier more frequent in Kashmir during winters and Jammu during summers, they have become a year-round issue in recent years.
“Every day we see announcements of three-, four-, five-, six- or seven-hour power curtailments in different areas. To add salt to the wound, the government has now increased the tariff,” said several consumers.
“We were promised the moon and stars during elections, but hardly knew that those promises would remain only on paper,” said Rafiq Dar, a farmer from Tangmarg in Baramulla district.
“The government is testing our patience. We have horrible power cuts here in scorching heat and then the tariff is increased. It is inhuman,” said Richpal Singh from Nanak Nagar, Jammu.
Several consumers expressed anger and disappointment over the tariff hike, citing frequent power outages and irregular electricity supply.
PDP, PC, Apni Party oppose hike in power tariff
The hike in electricity tariff has attracted sharp reactions from the opposition parties across ideological divides who believe it would put an additional burden on consumers.
PDP leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Ur Rehman Para posted on X, “From free tariff promises of relief to higher bills, what happened to the promise? @CM_JnK”.
People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Gani Lone described the hike as a “shock”.
“People in Jammu and Kashmir will now have to pay more from their pockets for electricity. The regulator has approved a 6.83 percent hike in power tariff and says it has avoided a tariff shock. It is definitely a shock for those who were promised 200 units free in 2024 by the ruling party,” Lone said on X.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed Para said the hike comes when inflation is “biting the people hard”.
“At a time when unemployment is at a peak, inflation is biting hard and ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet, the government has imposed a 6.83 percent power tariff hike. They came to power with an aspirational agenda, 200 units of free electricity, free gas and free ration. From free tariff promises of relief to higher bills, what happened to the promise?” Para said in a post on X.
J&K Peoples Conference President and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone put the spotlight on the government’s latest power tariff hike by sharing the official order showing that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his capacity as the Minister in-charge of the Power Development Department (PDD), approved a proposal for a 5% increase in power tariffs.
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PDP: From free tariff promises of relief to higher bills, what happened to the promise?
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JKPC: Tariff revision would place an additional burden of more than ₹500 crore on consumers.
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JKAP: Two years in the office, instead of providing relief, the government has chosen to increase power tariffs.
Referring to the communique submitted by the PDD to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), Lone pointed out that it explicitly states that the “Hon’ble CM (In-charge Minister, PDD)” approved the 5% tariff hike proposal & JERC subsequently approved a higher increase of 6.83%.
Lone highlighted the latest tariff revision would place an additional burden of more than ₹500 crore on consumers, while people of J&K continue to await the 200 units of free electricity promised by the National Conference government.
Taking a sharply sarcastic dig at the government and its supporters, Lone concluded: “My salutes to great people who voted them to power.”
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari accused the government of being insensitive.
“Only a government that is insensitive towards the problems and grievances of people can think of putting an additional burden on them by increasing power tariffs,” Bukhari said.
He said that at a time when the people are already facing serious challenges like unemployment, rising inflation, and difficulties in the tourism and horticulture sectors, one fails to understand why the authorities have approved an average 6.83 per cent hike in power tariffs for 2026-27.
“The ruling party had promised 200 units of free electricity and free gas cylinders for domestic use. These promises were made to seek votes from the people. But two years after coming to power, instead of providing relief to people already struggling with hardships, the government has chosen to increase power tariffs. This is deeply disappointing,” he said.
Bukhari said his party stands firmly with the people in these difficult times.
“We will strongly raise this issue and oppose the power tariff hike. We will continue to stand with the people and fight against every decision that adds to their hardships,” he added.
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