Patna, Bihar’s two power distribution companies, South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd, have submitted a proposal to the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) seeking an across-the-board increase of ₹0.35 per unit in electricity tariffs, while simultaneously merging existing two-tier slab structures into a single slab for most consumer categories.
If approved, the revised tariffs would apply from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
The most notable feature of the proposal is the consolidation of urban domestic tariffs. The current two slabs of ₹7.42 and ₹8.95 per unit are proposed to be replaced by a unified rate of ₹7.77 per unit. For consumers availing the state government’s 125-unit free-power scheme, this restructuring would translate into a saving of up to ₹1.18 per unit on consumption beyond the free quota, potentially reducing bills by approximately ₹118 for a 100-unit post-subsidy consumption.
Commercial consumers in the NDS-2 (urban) category would see their two existing slabs of ₹7.73 and ₹8.93 merged into a single rate of ₹8.08 per unit, offering marginal relief of ₹0.85 per unit on consumption above 100 units. A similar single-slab rate of ₹8.14 per unit has been proposed for rural commercial users.
However, rural domestic consumers, who already fall under a single-slab regime, would face the full brunt of the ₹0.35 increase with no offsetting benefit from slab merger.
The commission has scheduled public hearings across the state: Begusarai (12 January), Gaya (19 January), and two sessions in Patna (6 January and 5 February 2026). Separate hearings will also be held on tariff petitions filed by Bihar State Power Generation Company, Bihar State Power Transmission Company, State Load Dispatch Centre, and Bihar Grid Company Ltd.
Industry observers note that while the proposed slab rationalisation offers limited relief to urban households and certain commercial users, the net impact for low-consumption and rural consumers remains inflationary at a time when Bihar is already grappling with high retail inflation in food and essential commodities.
A final decision from BERC is expected ahead of the 2026–27 financial year.
