Pay more for power in Chandigarh from November 1

According to the order, now in its multi-year tariff (MYT) order, the commission has approved less than 1% increase in tariff for remaining period of financial year 2025–26.

Over the five years’ control period, an average annual tariff increase of approximately 2% annually has been ordered.

It was after the CPDL submitted a petition with the JERC for determination of aggregate revenue requirement and tariff for the financial years 2025-26 to 2029-30 that the order was issued.

The approved increase is significantly lower than CPDL’s proposal of 7.57% for FY 2025–26, which had been submitted to meet operational and capital expenditure needs. Additionally, JERC has set stringent loss reduction and performance improvement targets for CPDL, requiring the utility to deliver substantial efficiency and service quality enhancements within limited tariff margins. While the outcome is a relief for consumers, it also presents a formidable challenge for CPDL.

A CPDL spokesman said, “This is our first tariff order after privatisation and we fully recognise the expectation placed on us. CPDL remains firmly committed to improving system reliability, reducing technical losses, and enhancing consumer services with the support of UT Administration & JERC.”
The CPDL had proposed an average hike of 7.57% for 2025–26 to meet operational and capital expenditure needs.

Slab system changed by CPDL

After taking control of the UT Electricity Department on February 1, the CPDL changed the slab system into five categories.

Each slab comprises 100 units instead of the earlier three slabs of 0-150 units, 150 to 400 units and above 400 units.
The tariff for one-phase will remain the same at Rs 2.75 per unit flat.

In the first slab, the CPDL had proposed a tariff of Rs 2.96 per unit from Rs 2.75 per unit for up to 100 units for the financial year 2025-26.
According to the order, in the two-phase low-tension domestic supply category, the JERC has given the go-ahead to Rs 2.80 per unit for 1-100 units.

In the slab of 101-200 kWh (unit), the tariff has been revised to 3.75 per unit, in the slab of 201-300 kWh per month, the tariff has been increased to Rs 4.80 per unit. In the slab of 301 -400, tariff has been revised to Rs 5 per unit. Above 400 units, the tariff will remain the same at Rs 5.40 per unit.

Non-domestic category

In the non-domestic two-phase category, the JERC has approved Rs 4.55 per unit for 0-100 units, Rs 4.65 per unit for 101-200 and Rs 5.55 per unit for above 200 units.

In the three-phase category, a flat rate of Rs 6.60 per unit has approved by the commission.