Srinagar, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Jammu and Kashmir government has increased domestic electricity tariffs by up to 25 paise per unit for metered consumers and raised fixed charges by Rs 2 per kilowatt (kW) for fixed-charge consumers, the Legislative Assembly was informed on Tuesday.
The details were shared by the Omar Abdullah-led government in a written reply to a question raised by MLA Mehraj Malik in the Assembly. The tariff comparison showed that domestic electricity rates have increased for most metered consumers compared with 2023-24.
Under the revised tariffs, consumers using up to 200 units of electricity per month will now pay Rs 2.45 per unit, up from Rs 2.30. For consumption between 201 and 400 units, the rate has increased from Rs 4 to Rs 4.20 per unit, while consumers using more than 400 units will pay Rs 4.60 per unit, compared with the earlier rate of Rs 4.35.
The fixed charge for contracted load has also been raised from Rs 8 to Rs 10 per kW per month. However, tariffs for Below Poverty Line (BPL) consumers using up to 30 units per month remain unchanged at Rs 1.40 per unit, with the fixed charge continuing at Rs 5 per kW per month.
The government clarified that electricity supply schedules are not linked to tariff orders and are instead regulated under the Load Curtailment Programme implemented by distribution companies.
Responding to complaints about inflated electricity bills, the department said billing systems had been automated, with bills generated through actual meter readings or sanctioned load in the case of flat-rate consumers. Around 66 per cent of the consumer base has been covered by smart metering, which has reduced manual intervention in meter reading.
The government said complaints about bills that do not correspond with actual meter readings are received through distribution companies and resolved after field verification. Consumers can also lodge complaints at subdivision offices, through a toll-free helpline or on the online Consumer Grievance Portal.
On power cuts despite smart meter installations, the government said curtailment was primarily caused by the gap between electricity demand and supply, particularly during peak summer and winter months. Maintenance work and breakdown-related restoration were also cited as reasons for interruptions.
The Assembly was informed that around 714 feeders had already been declared 24/7 feeders, with more being added to the list.
On the PM Surya Ghar scheme, the government said eligible residential consumers were receiving financial assistance from the Central and J&K governments for rooftop solar installations. The combined subsidy ranges from Rs 36,000 for a 1-kW system to Rs 94,800 for systems with capacities of 3 kW and 5 kW.
The government said the subsidy was aimed at reducing the initial cost of rooftop solar installations and helping households lower their electricity bills through solar power.
The reply also revealed that Rs 20.71 lakh was spent on the mechanical transportation of distribution transformers during 2024-25, while Rs 16.36 lakh was spent during 2025-26. No expenditure was reported on the loading, unloading or installation of distribution transformers during these two years.
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