States » SouthPosted at: Oct 21 2026 9:46PM


Karnataka power bills may rise by 50 paise, BJP slams Cong

Bengaluru, Oct 21 (UNI) Electricity consumers in Karnataka could face an additional burden of up to 50 paise per unit in the October-November billing cycle, with the proposed hike triggering a political confrontation over power procurement costs and the Congress government's handling of the state's electricity requirements.
The proposed increase is expected to be recovered through the Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) mechanism following a rise in the cost of procuring electricity from the open market to meet surging demand in September.
The state's power demand reportedly crossed 20,000 MW during the month, even as a decline in wind power generation and weak southwest monsoon conditions constrained electricity availability, forcing greater reliance on external purchases.
The development has drawn sharp criticism from BJP leader and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, who accused the Congress government of passing the cost of its alleged failure to plan adequately for the state's power needs on to consumers.
Taking aim at the government ahead of the festive season, Ashoka described the proposed increase as a “Dussehra and Deepavali gift” to the people and demanded that the additional charge be withdrawn.
He alleged that the government had failed to anticipate demand and manage power procurement efficiently, leaving households to bear the consequences of expensive electricity purchases.
Power prices in the market reportedly surged during September amid supply pressures across several southern states. While Karnataka generally procures electricity at around Rs 6 per unit, prices in the open market reportedly touched Rs 25-30 per unit during periods of peak daytime demand.
The FPPCA mechanism allows adjustments to electricity bills to reflect variations in fuel and power purchase costs. If implemented at the proposed level, the additional charge would be reflected in consumers' bills during the forthcoming billing cycle.
Consumers whose electricity consumption is not covered by the Gruha Jyothi free power scheme could face a direct increase in their bills, while the impact on beneficiaries would depend on the applicable billing and subsidy provisions.
Ashoka also questioned the government's implementation of the Gruha Jyothi scheme, alleging that its verification process had prompted some consumers to leave the programme. He accused the Congress government of imposing an additional financial burden on households at a time when families were preparing for the festive season.
The proposed adjustment has brought the state's power management under renewed scrutiny, with rising demand, fluctuations in renewable energy generation and dependence on market purchases highlighting the challenges of ensuring reliable and affordable electricity.
The final impact on consumers will depend on the applicable FPPCA rate and its implementation in the upcoming billing cycle.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Karnataka power bills may rise by 50 paise# BJP slams Cong
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