The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) is scheduled to announce the new electricity tariff for the financial year 2025-26 today.
The final decision, expected later in the afternoon, follows extensive public hearings that began on February 17, where power distribution companies and consumer rights groups presented their arguments.
OERC Deputy Director Sanjay Raut confirmed that the commission thoroughly reviewed all inputs before finalizing the revised tariff structure. However, he refrained from commenting on whether the revision would include a hike.
The controversy has drawn criticism from multiple political parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
BJD leader and Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das accused the ruling BJP of betraying its pre-election promise of 300 units of free electricity. “Instead of fulfilling their commitment, the government is now considering a tariff hike, despite Odisha being a power-surplus state,” Das stated.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Panchanan Kanungo warned that any increase in power tariffs would provoke statewide protests. “Before the 2024 elections, the BJP promised free electricity. Now, there is a proposal to hike the tariff by 12.42 paise per unit. If this happens, mass agitations will follow,” he asserted.
Congress also raised concerns over unpaid industrial power dues totaling Rs 1,096 crore, questioning why distribution companies are seeking higher tariffs from consumers instead of recovering these pending payments.
The OERC’s announcement is awaited with bated breath as citizens, consumer groups, and political parties brace for the outcome.
