The Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) has accused the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL) of charging consumers nearly 20% higher electricity tariffs since April 1, 2025, in defiance of court rulings. VIA further stated that these excessive charges have persisted despite explicit directives from the Supreme Court on November 17, 2025.
VIA Energy Cell Chairman, RB Goenka stated that the valid tariff was the one issued by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) on March 28, 2025, after extensive public hearings that garnered 4,485 submissions from consumers. The five-year tariff order, covering the period from 2025 to 2030, resulted in reduced rates across all consumer categories, including BPL and residential users.
MSEDCL subsequently filed a review petition with MERC, requesting an immediate stay on the March tariff order. VIA contended that the petition was not maintainable without conducting fresh public hearings. Despite this, MERC issued a revised tariff order on June 25, 2025, which resulted in an average 20% increase and revised Time-of-Day (TOD) slots in a way that rendered many solar and renewable energy projects financially unviable.
VIA and other petitioners contested the June 25 order in the Bombay High Court, which subsequently set it aside on November 3. The High Court granted a four-week period for MERC and MSEDCL to appeal to the Supreme Court, after which the March 28 order was set to take effect. “MSEDCL then approached the Supreme Court, which, on November 17, referred the matter back to MERC for a fresh hearing within 12 weeks, while allowing the directions from the High Court to remain in force,” said VIA.
VIA contended that, given the June 25 order was declared invalid, the tariff established on March 28 should take effect from April 1, 2025. Furthermore, MSEDCL is obligated to refund the excess charges collected between April and November. VIA President Prashant Mohota emphasized that it would lead to substantial refunds for a range of consumer categories.
