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Electricity Bill Hike or Reduction? Consumers Across the State, Including Nagpur, Anxious Over Mahavitaran's New Tariffs
Nagpur: Significant confusion has arisen among consumers regarding the issue of electricity tariff hikes by Mahavitaran. Domestic and other consumers are anxious due to a lack of clarity on whether the electricity bills generated from April 1, 2026, will reflect an increase or a reduction in charges.
The State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) had issued an order regarding electricity tariff determination in March 2025. However, Mahavitaran filed a review petition, raising objections to this order. In June 2025, the Commission issued a new order approving a tariff hike, which subsequently came into effect across the state. Various organizations filed petitions in the High Court—and subsequently in the Supreme Court—challenging this decision. The courts set aside the June 2025 order, directed that fresh public hearings be conducted, and ordered that the status quo prevailing as of March 2025 be maintained.
Nevertheless, consumer organizations allege that Mahavitaran continues to charge higher rates, adhering to the June 2025 order. Meanwhile, on March 27, 2026, following a third round of public hearings, the Commission announced new electricity tariffs. A comparison of these new rates with those of June 2025 reveals a reduction ranging from 0.31% to 2.70% in the first year. However, when compared against the March 2025 order, consumers consuming up to 100 units see a marginal benefit, whereas rates for consumers utilizing between 200 and 1,000 units could potentially increase by 7.90% to 19.19%.
Electricity expert Mahendra Jichkar stated that, when benchmarked against the March 2025 rates, tariffs for consumption up to 100 units decrease by 1.10% to 3.44%; conversely, domestic consumers utilizing between 200 and 2,500 units are likely to see an increase of 6% to 21.52% in their electricity bills.
R.B. Goenka of the Vidarbha Industries Association remarked that, despite the High Court's directives, Mahavitaran continues to levy higher charges. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court as the Commission failed to conduct a hearing within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Abha Shukla stated that the work undertaken in the field of non-conventional energy—including solar energy—will result in future savings of ?66,000 crore, the benefits of which will accrue to the consumers. Notably, a proposed 9% tariff hike has been averted this year.
As the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court, all eyes are now fixed on the rates at which consumers will be billed starting April 1st. Consumers are advised to make payments based on the old tariff rates until the new bills are issued, and to contact the Mahavitaran office in case any discrepancies are observed.
Nagpur: Significant confusion has arisen among consumers regarding the issue of electricity tariff hikes by Mahavitaran. Domestic and other consumers are anxious due to a lack of clarity on whether the electricity bills generated from April 1, 2026, will reflect an increase or a reduction in charges.
The State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) had issued an order regarding electricity tariff determination in March 2025. However, Mahavitaran filed a review petition, raising objections to this order. In June 2025, the Commission issued a new order approving a tariff hike, which subsequently came into effect across the state. Various organizations filed petitions in the High Court—and subsequently in the Supreme Court—challenging this decision. The courts set aside the June 2025 order, directed that fresh public hearings be conducted, and ordered that the status quo prevailing as of March 2025 be maintained.
Nevertheless, consumer organizations allege that Mahavitaran continues to charge higher rates, adhering to the June 2025 order. Meanwhile, on March 27, 2026, following a third round of public hearings, the Commission announced new electricity tariffs. A comparison of these new rates with those of June 2025 reveals a reduction ranging from 0.31% to 2.70% in the first year. However, when compared against the March 2025 order, consumers consuming up to 100 units see a marginal benefit, whereas rates for consumers utilizing between 200 and 1,000 units could potentially increase by 7.90% to 19.19%.
Electricity expert Mahendra Jichkar stated that, when benchmarked against the March 2025 rates, tariffs for consumption up to 100 units decrease by 1.10% to 3.44%; conversely, domestic consumers utilizing between 200 and 2,500 units are likely to see an increase of 6% to 21.52% in their electricity bills.
R.B. Goenka of the Vidarbha Industries Association remarked that, despite the High Court's directives, Mahavitaran continues to levy higher charges. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court as the Commission failed to conduct a hearing within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Abha Shukla stated that the work undertaken in the field of non-conventional energy—including solar energy—will result in future savings of ?66,000 crore, the benefits of which will accrue to the consumers. Notably, a proposed 9% tariff hike has been averted this year.
As the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court, all eyes are now fixed on the rates at which consumers will be billed starting April 1st. Consumers are advised to make payments based on the old tariff rates until the new bills are issued, and to contact the Mahavitaran office in case any discrepancies are observed.
The State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) had issued an order regarding electricity tariff determination in March 2025. However, Mahavitaran filed a review petition, raising objections to this order. In June 2025, the Commission issued a new order approving a tariff hike, which subsequently came into effect across the state. Various organizations filed petitions in the High Court—and subsequently in the Supreme Court—challenging this decision. The courts set aside the June 2025 order, directed that fresh public hearings be conducted, and ordered that the status quo prevailing as of March 2025 be maintained.
Nevertheless, consumer organizations allege that Mahavitaran continues to charge higher rates, adhering to the June 2025 order. Meanwhile, on March 27, 2026, following a third round of public hearings, the Commission announced new electricity tariffs. A comparison of these new rates with those of June 2025 reveals a reduction ranging from 0.31% to 2.70% in the first year. However, when compared against the March 2025 order, consumers consuming up to 100 units see a marginal benefit, whereas rates for consumers utilizing between 200 and 1,000 units could potentially increase by 7.90% to 19.19%.
Electricity expert Mahendra Jichkar stated that, when benchmarked against the March 2025 rates, tariffs for consumption up to 100 units decrease by 1.10% to 3.44%; conversely, domestic consumers utilizing between 200 and 2,500 units are likely to see an increase of 6% to 21.52% in their electricity bills.
R.B. Goenka of the Vidarbha Industries Association remarked that, despite the High Court's directives, Mahavitaran continues to levy higher charges. A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court as the Commission failed to conduct a hearing within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Abha Shukla stated that the work undertaken in the field of non-conventional energy—including solar energy—will result in future savings of ?66,000 crore, the benefits of which will accrue to the consumers. Notably, a proposed 9% tariff hike has been averted this year.
As the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court, all eyes are now fixed on the rates at which consumers will be billed starting April 1st. Consumers are advised to make payments based on the old tariff rates until the new bills are issued, and to contact the Mahavitaran office in case any discrepancies are observed.
