Chhattisgarh Faces Political Storm Over Electricity Tariff Hike

A political storm has erupted in Chhattisgarh due to the recent increase in electricity rates. The Congress party has initiated a series of protests against the decision, while Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has assured that the hike won’t negatively impact the poor and farmers. The Chief Minister highlighted that the government is providing relief through the ‘Half Electricity Scheme’ and the impact on domestic consumers is minimal, with an increase of only 10 to 20 paise per unit. Farmers will also see a minor rise of 50 paise per unit, but the government is providing 3,000 free electricity units to those using up to 3 HP, with the government covering the expenses. The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) approved an average 1.89% increase in electricity tariffs for the financial year 2025-26. The Congress party has condemned the move, asserting it will put an added financial burden on the public. The dispute has become a focal point of political discourse, with the administration claiming the move is contained and in the public’s interest, while the opposition views it as a further burden on the populace.