A delegation from Panchkula's Citizens Welfare Association (CWA) has formally challenged the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission's (HERC) newly announced power tariff structure, labeling the fixed charges as "unjustified" and discriminatory against a large section of domestic consumers. The group presented their case during a public hearing held in Sector 4, Panchkula, on Thursday.
The Core of the Dispute: Unequal Fixed Charges
The CWA delegation, led by its president S K Nayar, argued that the HERC tariff order for the fiscal year 2025–26 creates an unfair disparity. They pointed out that while domestic consumers in Category I (up to 2 kW load) and some in Category II (up to 5 kW load with monthly consumption under 300 units) are exempt from fixed charges, others are burdened with them.
Specifically, the order mandates fixed charges of Rs 50 per kW per month for certain Category II consumers and Rs 75 per kW per month for all Category III consumers (load above 5 kW). The association contends that this selective application is causing widespread dissatisfaction, as it places a disproportionate financial strain on specific consumer groups within the same domestic category.
Stark Comparison with Neighbouring Chandigarh
To highlight the perceived injustice, the delegation drew a direct comparison with the power tariffs in neighbouring Chandigarh. They informed the Commission that the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved a uniform fixed charge of just Rs 30 per kW per month for domestic consumers, effective from November 1, 2025.
This comparison reveals that Haryana's domestic consumers are paying nearly 250 per cent higher fixed charges than their counterparts in Chandigarh. The CWA found this particularly jarring given that Chandigarh is served by a private distribution company, while Haryana's power distribution is state-managed.
Disparity in Energy Charges Adds to the Burden
Beyond fixed charges, the citizen's group also flagged significant inequity in the variable energy charges. According to the HERC order, a Category III consumer pays Rs 6.50 per unit for the first 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 the same consumption slabs. The CWA members argued that charging different rates for identical consumption levels within the broader domestic category is fundamentally unfair and imposes an undue financial burden.
The delegation, which also included Narinder Sharma, K K Jindal, Avinash Malik, and R C Goyal, urged HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma and the commission members to consider their submissions sympathetically. They appealed for corrective steps to ensure a balanced and equitable tariff structure, keeping the social and economic conditions of all Haryana's residents in mind.
