Cong leader Prof Sampat Singh challenges Haryana electricity tariff hike, calls it ‘tariff shock’

Senior Congress leader and former minister Prof Sampat Singh has filed a review petition challenging the tariff order issued by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), which hikes power rates. Addressing a press conference at the Congress office, Prof Singh described the tariff order as a “tariff shock” experienced by consumers across all categories upon receiving their electricity bills in June 2025. He highlighted widespread public protests against the new tariff regime and raised serious concerns about the pricing mechanism adopted by power utilities.

Advertisement

“The utilities are purchasing 7,964.28 crore units of power at a cost of Rs 3.12 per unit, yet the same is being sold to consumers at an average rate of Rs 7.29 per unit,” Prof Singh stated. Furthermore, he pointed out that out of the total power purchased, only 6,916 crore units are reaching consumers, implying transmission and distribution losses exceeding 22 per cent, which are effectively being passed on to consumers, who are being charged for electricity they never receive.

Prof Singh referred to Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) undertaken by the Haryana Government in September 2015, which covered Rs 34,000 crore in liabilities of the power utilities. “Post-UDAY, the Discoms reported a profit of Rs 800 crore for the first time in March 2021. Instead of reducing tariffs, the burden on consumers has increased,” he said. The Congress leader noted that domestic consumers now face fixed charges ranging between Rs 50 to Rs 75 per kW. Additionally, per-unit charges have been raised by 25 to 50 per cent. This is the first time that fixed charges have been introduced for domestic consumers.

Besides, the telescopic slab system of power consumption has been given the go-ahead. Commercial consumers have been adversely affected by the merger of their category with LT & HT supply, which raised fixed charges from Rs 165 to Rs 290 per kVA and per-unit charges from Rs 6.65 to Rs 6.95. Sampat Singh said industrial consumers with loads above 50 kW now face Rs 7.25 per unit (up from Rs 6.55) and fixed charges of Rs 290 per kW compared to Rs 165 last year. He noted that Delhi and Rajasthan levy only Rs 125 and Rs 160 per kVA, respectively, making Haryana’s rates uncompetitive.

He also criticised the continuation of a 47 paise per unit Fuel Surcharge Adjustment (FSA) that was supposed to end in June 2024, calling it an unjust and ongoing burden. Additionally, he highlighted the Rs 8,000 crore defaulting dues of around 22 lakh consumers, warning that the remaining consumers are indirectly bearing this cost. Prof Singh urged the commission to admit his review petition and requested a public hearing to address the issues.