Jaipur. In a landmark decision ahead of Diwali, the Bhajanlal-led Rajasthan government has gifted power consumers a major relief by reducing electricity tariffs for the first time in 25 years. From next month, consumers in the state will start receiving bills calculated under the new tariff structure.

According to the order issued by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission, the new tariff brings significant relief for small domestic consumers, though those consuming more than 300 units per month will see an increase in their bills. Despite a reduction in the base electricity charge, these consumers will have to pay an additional ₹1 per unit as regulatory surcharge, along with higher fixed charges. The base fuel surcharge will be adjusted, and any remaining balance will be added to the bill. Commercial and industrial consumers will also face increased tariffs.

The electricity companies claim that under the revised structure, consumers using less than 300 units per month will receive direct relief of up to 50 paise per unit. The regulatory commission, while settling the tariff petition filed by Rajasthan DISCOMs, noted that for the first time in the 25-year history of the power sector, rates have been reduced across most categories, including domestic consumers.

Rajasthan currently has about 1.35 crore domestic power consumers, out of which 1.04 crore consumers benefit from the Chief Minister’s Free Electricity Scheme. These consumers will receive a rebate of 35 to 50 paise per unit for up to 300 units. Around 62 lakh consumers using up to 100 units per month will continue to receive zero bills, while 35 lakh consumers in the 51–150 unit slab will now pay ₹6 per unit instead of ₹6.50. Those consuming 150–300 units per month will also get a relief of 35 paise per unit.

In the agriculture category, which includes over 20 lakh consumers, the rate has been reduced from ₹5.55 per unit to ₹5.25 per unit. The state government will also bear the cost of the regulatory surcharge. The total regulatory asset burden on power companies currently stands at ₹49,842 crore, but the government has clarified that poor, needy, and agricultural consumers will not bear this cost — covering about 1.39 crore consumers.

However, around 31.37 lakh consumers, including approximately 15 lakh households consuming more than 300 units and 16 lakh commercial and industrial users, will see higher bills. For domestic consumers using more than 500 units, fixed charges have been increased by ₹100 to ₹350, and similar hikes have been made in all commercial and industrial slabs.

Time-of-the-Day (TOD) Tariff Introduced
The new tariff introduces the Time-of-the-Day (TOD) system, dividing consumption into three time slots. Consumers with a load above 10 kW will pay a 10% surcharge during morning and evening peak hours, while receiving a 10% discount during the afternoon off-peak hours.

From 6 AM to 8 AM — 5% surcharge

From 12 PM to 4 PM — 10% rebate

From 6 PM to 10 PM — 10% surcharge

This move aims to reduce electricity consumption by large commercial and industrial units during peak hours, ensuring uninterrupted supply for regular consumers.

Previously, large industrial units with a load factor above 50% received a rebate of ₹1 per unit in energy charges, which has now been withdrawn. However, the general energy charge has been reduced from ₹7.30 to ₹6.50 per unit.

Following the regulatory commission’s decision, power companies have highlighted that despite higher average costs, Rajasthan’s electricity rates remain lower than those in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

Now, political circles await to see how the state’s new power tariff announcement influences Rajasthan’s energy and political landscape ahead of the festive season.

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