Electricity May Become Costlier During Peak Hours in Kashmir Valley
KPDCL seeks approval for 20% additional charge during mornings and evenings
Srinagar, Nov 20: Amid the ongoing debate in Kashmir over the installation of smart meters, the Power Development Department (PDD) has put forward a proposal to increase electricity charges by 20 percent during peak morning and evening hours in the Valley.
As reported by the Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has submitted a request to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) seeking permission to implement this surcharge. The additional fee would apply to all consumer categories except agriculture, during the high-demand hours when the Valley faces extreme cold.
According to a petition filed before the JERC for J&K and Ladakh, KPDCL has proposed the surcharge for different consumer categories, including domestic households. The JERC, a quasi‑judicial body, is empowered to approve or reject tariff proposals.
Confirming the development, Managing Director KPDCL, Mahmood Ahmad Shah told KNO that “KPDCL has proposed a 20 percent surcharge on tariff for the peak hours of the day. As of now, no decision has been taken by the regulatory commission.”
The proposal is part of the Time of Day (ToD) tariff system, under which electricity costs vary depending on the time of consumption.
However, the proposal has been vehemently opposed by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) during the hearing on KPDCL petition on Thursday.
The KCCI, represented by Secretary General Faiz Ahmad Bakshi argued that it was misleading for KPDCL to claim it had not raised tariffs while simultaneously proposing a surcharge during peak hours.
“Since electricity consumption during these hours is a necessity and not a discretionary choice, treating it as an additional charge is fundamentally unfair,” the KCCI said.
Citing figures, the KCCI said Kashmir has the worst power reliability in India.
“As per Central Electricity Authority figures for 2022, the System Average Interruption Duration Index(SAIDI) for Kashmir stands at a shocking 889, while the System Average Interruption Frequency Index(SAIFI) stands at 723.95. These numbers are several times higher than the national averages of 116.12 and 171.64. Even Jammu, despite its own problems, performs significantly better with a SAIDI of 489 and SAIFI of 442,” the business body said—(KNO)
