KERC hikes commercial, industrial power tariffs; agri pump set rate cut

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on March 3 raised electricity tariffs for select commercial and industrial consumers to recover about ₹1,254.88 crore, while reducing the tariff for agricultural pump sets from the earlier uniform ₹8.30 per unit to between ₹6.57 and ₹7.79 per unit for 2025–26. The order, however, does not specify from which date the revised tariff will come into effect. This will lead to an increase in cost as there already exists 9% electricity tax on the total bill amount. 

The decision comes after a review petition filed by the State’s five power distribution companies — Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom), Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Mescom), Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited (Hescom), Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC), and Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (Gescom).