Power Shock for Urban Homes in Himachal: Unapproved Buildings to Face Higher Electricity Bills

Thousands of urban households in Himachal Pradesh may soon face a steep rise in their electricity bills, as the Electricity Board tightens rules around domestic power connections. Until now, domestic meters were installed without requiring approved building maps or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from municipal bodies. But that leniency is coming to an end.

Under new regulations, any household without an approved building plan will have its electricity meter reclassified as commercial—a change that comes with significantly higher tariffs. This shift could place a heavy financial burden on many families.

To retain their domestic status and avoid the hike, consumers must now obtain an NOC from their local municipal corporation, nagar parishad, or nagar panchayat by getting their building plans officially approved.

Backdated Bills and One-Meter Rule

The Regulatory Commission has also ordered the Electricity Board to recover commercial-rate dues for up to ten years from affected consumers. Officials are currently gathering data from various sub-divisions, and a final list of such connections will soon be submitted for action.

“This issue has been ignored for years,” said an official source. “Many consumers have been enjoying domestic rates without proper approvals. That’s no longer acceptable.”

Adding to the changes, the state government has completed KYC verification for all electricity consumers. Going forward, only one verified domestic meter per family will be eligible for the government’s power subsidy. Any unauthorized or extra meters will not only lose the subsidy but will also be billed at commercial rates.

Public Pushback Expected

The move is likely to spark resistance from residents who argue that the Electricity Board’s earlier lax approach led to this situation. With the possibility of backdated bills and higher monthly charges, many households may challenge the decision.

Despite the expected backlash, the Regulatory Commission is standing firm. Officials say the goal is to ensure fairness, accountability, and prevent misuse of domestic tariffs and subsidies. Implementation is expected to begin once the final list of affected connections is ready.