Uproar in U.P. over 10% fuel surcharge on electricity bills

In a letter dated May 29, Pankaj Saxena, Chief Engineer of the Regulatory Affairs Unit (RAU), informed that the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has issued new guidelines for electricity distribution under the Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) framework. | Photo Credit: Reuters The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) on Saturday (May 30, 2026) announced a 10% surcharge in electricity bills, triggering an uproar in the State. The “fuel and power purchase adjustment surcharge”, linked to the transmission charges, will be effective in the June billing cycle, requiring consumers to pay an additional 10% based on their electricity consumption. In a letter dated May 29, Pankaj Saxena, Chief Engineer of the Regulatory Affairs Unit (RAU), informed that the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has issued new guidelines for electricity distribution under the Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) framework. He indicated that the fuel surcharge would be calculated starting from March 2026, with the additional costs applied in June. “Fuel and Power Purchase Adjustment Surcharge (FPPAS) calculated for the month of March, 2026 as per regulation is to be charged in the month of June, 2026. FPPAS chargeable is 10% for the month of March, 2026 to be charged in the month of June, 2026. I have been directed to request you to implement the same for all categories of consumers as per provision of the regulation,” the letter read. ‘New burden on common people’ The Congress described the decision as a failure of the State government, adding that the myth of fake assurances was busted. “In the peak summer season, the interruption in electricity supply is causing significant disruption to daily life, economic activities, agricultural needs of villages, and other essential services. The claim of “24-hour electricity” has busted with the State’s power system crumbling. Amid the adverse situation, the new burden of a 10% additional fuel surcharge on the public is the failure of the BJP government,” said Pramod Tiwari, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and senior MP from the Congress party. “Such a decision should be immediately taken back, and effective measures for increasing electricity supply, procuring power through the Union government should be implemented to provide relief to common people,” he said. The Samajwadi Party (SP) criticised the surcharge adding that the Energy Department should immediately fix its accountability. “Power cuts all day, shortages all night, and on top of that, an increase in electricity cost for a common person. This is ridiculous governance. The public is already suffering from severe power shortages and unannounced power cuts during the scorching heat, and on top of that, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has dealt a new blow with a 10% increase in electricity bills. The U.P. Power Corporation and the BJP government, which promised “cheap and uninterrupted electricity”, have proved to be utter failures,” said Sunil Singh Yadav ‘Sajan’, the SP spokesperson.