Overview
- Bihar’s new pricing plan, which begins April 1 after BERC approval, covers smart‑meter users and others with load above 10 kW, reaching about 8.7 million consumers.
- The day is split into three bands: 9 am–5 pm at 80% of the base rate, 11 pm–9 am at the base rate, and 5 pm–11 pm as the higher‑priced peak window.
- For homes with smart prepaid meters, the base is ₹7.42 per unit, with ₹5.94 in daytime after a 20% rebate and ₹8.16 in evening peak after a 10% premium.
- Agricultural users are exempt, and commercial and industrial customers will pay 120% of the base rate during peak hours, while households pay 110% in that window.
- BERC’s chair said the change will cut reliance on costly exchange purchases and reduce outage risk, as opponents warn evening bills will rise and could blunt the 125‑free‑units scheme.