The power distribution companies (discoms) of Haryana have not proposed any new electricity tariff for 2024-25. In the annual revenue requirements (ARR) petitions filed before the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), both discoms, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), have largely focused on energy efficiency services for the consumers.

Except for a fuel surcharge adjustment charges (FSA) imposed and withdrawn in 2021-22, the discom have not increased any basic tariff in the three years. Since 2024 is election year for parliamentary as well as assembly polls, the proposal for increase was very unlikely. According to information, the two discoms have filed ARR of around Rs 35,000 crore plus, which includes Rs 17,333 crore filed by UHBVN, the northern discom. Notably, northern discom is also a nodal agency for the short and term power purchase agreements for both the companies.

“In nutshell, we have not proposed any tariff increase, rather our focus of entire ARR is the energy efficient better supplies in the areas,” said Amit Khatri, the managing director of DHBVN. ARR suggests that this year, UHBVN has asked for a sanction of Rs 12,293 crore for power purchase, which include state share under long term agreements as well as supply from own resources; ie thermal power plants of the state. UHBVN has projected consumption of 24,871 million units and the line and distribution loss projected for the next financial year is said to be 10.75%. Similarly, DHBVN too has filed projections on the same lines, officials confirmed. Both the companies have petitioned for the increase of around 10% in the operational costs of the discoms. UHBVN has sought a budget of Rs 1,152 crore for the year 2024-25, against the consumption of Rs 1000 crore approved for the year current financial year.

So has been the pattern of DHBVN. The companies have filed the ARR on November, which will come up for hearing before HERC in the month of February, the officials confirmed.
ARRs are the complete record of the distribution companies which is to be filed before HERC for getting the sanctions for next financial year. The ARR petitions include the budget, operational functions, finance and accounts and complete details of power purchase, distribution and revenue recovery through the sale of power.

Officials informed that like the previous year, this year too, the discoms have filed budget surplus ARRs, which apparently resulted into no increase in electricity tariff. Meanwhile, discoms have reiterated to complete the target of 10 lakh smart electricity meters in the near future. According to information, as of now, around 8 lakh such meters have been installed.