The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Monday announced that there will be no hike in power tariffs for both domestic and commercial consumers in the state for the year 2025-26.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that the OERC has not increased power tariffs for consumers. Last year, however, the OERC reduced the tariff by 10 paise per unit for domestic consumers.
Since 2021-22, there has been no hike in power tariffs in the state, OERC Secretary Priyabatta Pattnaik clarified.
As a consumer-friendly measure, the OERC announced rent relief for consumers with smart meters and a connected power load of up to 2 kW.
Previously, consumers with a connected load of 2 kW were paying Rs.60 per month as smart meter rent.
According to OERC sources, this decision will benefit nearly 60 lakh consumers who are using smart meters with a connected load of 2 kW.
To encourage cashless transactions, the OERC has decided to continue the four percent rebate for consumers who make payments through digital modes.
In another decision, the OERC offered a four percent rebate for prepaid smart meter users and a 20-paise rebate for consumers with a connected load of 10 kW and above for usage during peak hour between 8 AM and 4 PM while a 30-paise rebate will be provided for consumption between 6 PM and 12 AM.
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