A delegation from the Citizens Welfare Association (CWA), Panchkula, appeared before the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) on Thursday to raise objections and give suggestions regarding electricity tariffs for domestic consumers in Haryana, particularly highlighting what they termed an “unjustified disparity” in fixed charges and slab-wise energy rates.
The delegation, led by S K Nayar, president, CWA Panchkula, comprised Narinder Sharma, secretary, K K Jindal, president, RWA Sector 20, Avinash Malik, general secretary, RWA Sector 20, and R C Goyal, member, CWA. They participated in the public hearing held at Sector 4, Panchkula, chaired by HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma, along with two commission members.
The CWA representatives submitted that electricity tariffs across categories consist of two components — fixed charges and variable (energy) charges. While fixed charges reflect the actual fixed cost incurred by the licensee, variable charges represent the cost of supply.
The delegation pointed out that in the HERC tariff order for the 2025–26 fiscal, domestic consumers under Category I (up to 2 kW) and Category II (up to 5 kW load with monthly consumption up to 300 units) were exempted from fixed charges, whereas higher fixed charges were imposed on other consumers under Category II and the entire Category III.
As per the current tariff order, fixed charges of Rs 50 per kW per month for certain Category II consumers and Rs 75 per kW per month for Category III consumers are being levied, which, according to CWA, has caused widespread dissatisfaction among domestic consumers. The association argued that fixed charges should be levied uniformly across all categories, keeping social and economic conditions in mind, so that a balanced and equitable tariff structure can be ensured.
Drawing a comparison with neighbouring Chandigarh, the delegation informed the Commission that the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved fixed charges of Rs 30 per kW per month for domestic consumers up to a load of 85 kW/100 kVA under its tariff order dated October 30, 2025, effective from November 1, 2025, for Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited. These charges, they said, are significantly lower, resulting in Haryana consumers paying nearly 250 per cent higher fixed charges compared to consumers in Chandigarh, despite the latter being served by a private distribution company.
The delegation also flagged disparity in energy charges within domestic categories. As per the Haryana tariff order, Category III consumers (load above 5 kW) are charged Rs 6.50 per unit for 0–500 units, Rs 7.15 for 501–1,000 units and Rs 7.50 beyond 1,000 units. In contrast, Category II consumers pay substantially lower rates for similar consumption slabs. CWA members contended that charging different rates for the same level of consumption within the domestic category is unfair and places an undue financial burden on certain consumers.
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The association urged the HERC chairman and members to consider their submissions sympathetically and take corrective steps in the larger public interest of domestic electricity consumers across Haryana.