The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) recently scheduled a public hearing to review petitions by Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) and Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) to raise electricity tariffs. This has sparked a buzz about a potential hike in power tariffs on social media.
In a post on X, Bengaluru Post, a local media outlet, wrote, “Power hike on the table! BESCOM wants to raise electricity charges, citing losses. Was anyone at the meeting? Share insights!”
⚡ Power hike on the table! BESCOM wants to raise electricity charges citing losses.
— Bengaluru Post (@bengalurupost1) February 20, 2026
Was anyone at the meeting? Share insights! ???? #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/GJOc1BuRc8
As per the revised public hearing schedule, the public consultation was held at KERC's Vasanth Nagar office on Friday, Feb. 20.
According to local media outlet NewsFirst Prime, KERC is conducting public hearings across Karnataka from Feb. 16 to Feb. 27 to gather feedback on the proposed tariff hike.
The proposal for a tariff hike has been received negatively by netizens. One user wrote, “I am not eligible for free power… I need to pay more now for someone to use it free.”
I am not eligible for free power.. i need to pay more now for someone to use it free
— Rajesh Naidu (@Allu_Rajesh) February 20, 2026
Another person said, “One suggestion: As Power Disruption is routine, they must give a rebate on service hour basis. Consumers can save at least 20% on their Bills.”
One suggestion: As Power Disruption is routine they must give Rebate on Service Hour Basis. Consumers can save atleast 20% on their Bills.
— Narayan Balaji (@chaluchacha) February 20, 2026
“They ranked amongst the worst performers amongst ESCOMs (electricity supply companies), correct?” remarked one user.
They ranked amongst the worst performers amongst ESCOMs, correct?
— Prasenjit | ಪ್ರಸೆಂಜಿತ್ | প্রসেনজিৎ (@jerremee) February 20, 2026
“Already Bengaluru has the highest rates in the South,” posted a user.
Already Bengaluru has the highest rates in the South.
— Sudhir (@sudhir21271) February 20, 2026
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As per a report in The Hindu, Karnataka's ESCOMs are operating at a revenue loss of about Rs 4,900 crore, according to FY25 data. This shows a sharp mismatch between approved costs and actual expenditure, the report added.
According to the annual performance review (APR) submissions, BESCOM suffered a revenue loss of Rs 2,802.82 crore during the same period.
ESCOMs have pointed to mounting cost pressures as the primary reason for their widening revenue gap, citing higher power purchase expenses, rising finance costs, increased operation and maintenance spending, and lower-than-projected revenue realisation in several pockets.
They have maintained before the regulator that a tariff revision is necessary to ensure continued financial viability. ESCOMs have told the regulator that a revision in tariffs is essential to safeguard their financial sustainability.
However, the petition submitted by the city's distribution utility does not indicate the scale of any proposed tariff hike. Instead, it limits its request to the approval of a truing-up exercise for its FY25 accounts based on audited data, without suggesting any per-unit increase or changes across consumer categories.
BESCOM has disclosed that its aggregate revenue requirement for the year was Rs 34,708.97 crore, against revenue of Rs 31,905.88 crore from power sales, resulting in a deficit of Rs 2,802.82 crore.
While it has estimated the average cost of supplying electricity at Rs 9.35 per unit, the absence of a specific tariff proposal means the onus of deciding any increase rests with the regulatory authority.
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