There is something deeply uncomfortable about another electricity tariff hike in Jammu and Kashmir. This is a place where rivers tumble down from the mountains, ambitious hydropower projects are being built and electricity has long been presented as one of J&K’s greatest natural advantages. Yet the story reaching the ordinary consumer remains familiar that the power sector runs on deficit, the government provides support and the consumer is asked to pay more. From 1st September 2026, electricity tariffs in J&K are set to rise by an average 6.83 percent. For 2026-27, the revenue requirement of JPDCL and KPDCL has been assessed at roughly ₹10,276 crore against revenue of about ₹7,353 crore at existing tariffs, leaving a gap of approximately ₹2,923 crore. The government has committed around ₹2,421 crore in support, leaving roughly ₹502 crore to be recovered through the tariff revision. Had the entire deficit been passed on to consumers, the increase could have approached 40 percent. While the subsidy reduces the immediate burden on consumers, it does not address the underlying financial weaknesses of the power sector or explain why consumers should continue to bear the cost of a system that remains structurally inefficient.

But it cannot be the end of the debate. A tariff hike can raise revenue. It cannot by itself repair a financially weak distribution system, eliminate power theft, reduce technical losses, improve collection or make expensive power procurement cheaper. If these problems continue, today’s tariff increase will only postpone tomorrow’s deficit. The real question is therefore simple that what will consumers get in return for paying more? Government support to JPDCL and KPDCL should increasingly be linked to measurable performance including lower distribution losses, better collection efficiency, greater reliability and more efficient procurement. Smart meters and feeder level monitoring should produce measurable results, not merely installation figures. Every rupee of public support should either make the system more efficient or protect the........

© Greater Kashmir