Bhubaneswar: In a recent announcement, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo assured the public that there are no current plans to increase electricity tariffs in the state. This statement comes amidst GRIDCO’s proposal for a tariff hike to Rs 3.82 per unit.
Speaking to the media, Singh Deo emphasized that no discussions have been held regarding a tariff increase. “Right now, there is no plan for increasing the energy tariff for anybody,” he stated. The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) will conduct hearings and make the final decision after considering inputs from all stakeholders.
Energy Department Secretary Vishal Dev highlighted that there has been no tariff hike in the last two years. He reiterated that the OERC will take a balanced decision after thorough deliberation.
GRIDCO’s Chairman and Managing Director, Trilochan Panda, explained that the proposed hike is part of an annual process based on total cost estimation and is not intended to directly impact consumers. He assured that Odisha’s power purchase cost remains one of the lowest in the country, second only to Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
The OERC’s decision will be awaited by all parties involved, as it will determine the future course of electricity tariffs in Odisha.
