Chhattisgarh CM Sai says power tariff hike among lowest, assures focus on quality and reliability

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a minimal power tariff hike of just 1.89% for the financial year 2025–26, marking one of the lowest increases in recent years.

The decision, taken through a transparent public hearing process, has been welcomed by both domestic consumers and industrial bodies, including steel and rolling mill associations.

Households Shielded, Farmers To Face No Extra Cost

The Chief Minister emphasized that domestic users will see only a marginal rise of 10 to 20 paise per unit in their power bills. For agricultural pump users, although there is a 50 paise per unit hike, the state government will fully absorb this increase through advance subsidies.

“Our goal is to ensure that farmers in Chhattisgarh do not bear any extra financial burden. The government remains fully committed to protecting the interests of our farming community,” CM Sai said.

Energy Tariff Reduction For Steel Sector To Boost Industry

In a significant move to promote industrial growth, the state has reduced electricity tariffs for high-consumption sectors such as mini steel plants, rolling mills, and ferro-alloy units. The Chief Minister said this reflects the administration’s resolve to make Chhattisgarh an attractive destination for industrial investment.

Uninterrupted Supply And Better Efficiency

Highlighting the improvement in power supply, CM Sai said that urban areas now receive 23.85 hours and rural areas 23.45 hours of power daily. Agriculture feeders are getting electricity for 18 hours a day — among the highest in India.

He also noted a major achievement in cutting Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, which have dropped from 23.14% in 2020–21 to 13.79% in 2024–25. The decline, he said, is the result of improved operational efficiency, transparency, and infrastructure upgrades.

Massive Infrastructure Investment, 1320 MW Plant Underway in Korba

The newly approved tariff includes a capital investment plan that earmarks ₹2,433 crore for transmission, ₹3,977 crore for distribution, and ₹2,992 crore for generation enhancements. A 1320 MW thermal power plant is already being developed in Korba with an investment of ₹15,800 crore, positioning Chhattisgarh to become a power-surplus state.

Dual Subsidy Scheme for Domestic Consumers

In a big push for clean energy, the Chief Minister announced dual subsidies under the PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme. Households can get a central subsidy of up to ₹78,000 for 3 kW rooftop solar systems, along with an additional ₹30,000 state subsidy for 2 kW systems.

Calling it a game-changer, he said this will make homes in Chhattisgarh more energy self-reliant.

₹3 Lakh Crore Power Sector MoUs to Spark Job Boom

CM Sai also revealed that the state government and energy companies have signed MoUs worth more than ₹3 lakh crore. These investments are expected to significantly increase energy production and create large-scale job opportunities.

“Our top priority is to provide consumers not just uninterrupted electricity, but power that is high-quality, affordable, and sustainable. With the ongoing and upcoming initiatives, Chhattisgarh is set to emerge as a national benchmark in the energy sector,” he affirmed.