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Pay more for power in Chandigarh from November 1

JERC finalises tariff structure for next five financial years

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Oct 31, 2025 08:52 AM IST

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

From November 1, shell out a little more for power in Chandigarh. For, on a petition given by the Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), the private firm that took over power department of Chandigarh, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has finalised the electricity tariff structure for the next five financial years (2025–26 to 2029–30).

It has been done in different domestic and commercial categories. The new tariff will be in force 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.

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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.

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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.

Power tariff

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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