In July 2025, Tamil Nadu witnessed a state-wide uproar following the latest electricity tariff revision introduced by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC). While officials call it a routine inflation adjustment under a five-year policy, ordinary citizens call it unbearable.
From Chennai to Sivagangapuram, families, farmers, and small businesses are grappling with unexpected bill spikes, ranging from ₹500 to ₹11,000 — in some cases for a single month’s consumption.
What Changed in July 2025?
TNERC implemented a 3.16% tariff hike across all consumer categories. Although the increase seems marginal on paper, the real-world impact has been disproportionately felt:
| Consumer Type | Effect |
|---|---|
| Domestic (0–100 units) | Subsidy-covered; no direct hike |
| Domestic (100–500 units) | ₹15–₹75 monthly increase |
| Commercial (shops, salons) | ₹100–₹300 hike in bills |
| Common supply (apartments) | Jump from ₹8.55 to ₹8.80/unit |
| EV charging stations | Hit with full tariff hike |
| Government subsidies continue to shield **low-income households**, but **middle-class families** and **small-scale businesses** are taking the financial blow. |
"How Can We Pay ₹11,358?" – A Village Cries Out Against Tamil Nadu’s Electricity Bill Shock
Location: Thiruvathur, Sivagangapuram
Date: July 2025
Voices: Multiple families and working-class residents
Context: Monthly electricity bill surged from ₹4,500 to over ₹11,000 in July, following TNERC's 3.16% tariff hike and new billing cycles.
“We Can’t Afford to Live Like This Anymore”
In the small village of Thiruvathur near Sivagangapuram, residents are reeling under the weight of unexplained electricity bills that have suddenly skyrocketed. The most shocking case? A monthly electricity bill of ₹11,358 for a family that usually pays around ₹4,500.
“What’s changed in one month? Our usage hasn’t increased. But our bill has doubled,” says Sujaatha, a resident who has been married for 11 years. “This is unjust. Even if you gave us a car, we couldn’t afford to drive it—how do you expect us to pay this bill?”
No Printed Bill. No Explanation. Just a Shocking SMS.
Residents say they no longer receive physical bills. Instead, a cold SMS arrives showing the due amount, with no breakdown or justification.
“The EB staff don’t even write it down on the card. They just say it’s correct and walk away,” a local farmer shared.
“We don’t know if it’s one month’s reading or two. Nothing is transparent.”
Several residents confirmed that May’s bill was manageable. But July’s was catastrophic. “Even in two months, we’ve never had to pay this much,” another woman added.
Farming Families and Small Store Owners Can’t Cope
These are agriculture-dependent households. Their monthly income is barely enough for:
- Children’s school fees
- Groceries
- Medical expenses
- Rent and transport
And now, the electricity bill alone consumes 80–90% of that.
“How do we live? Feed our kids? Buy school books?” asked a daily-wage worker. “We saved ₹5,000–₹6,000 after two months of hard work—and the whole amount is going to EB?”
“They Say the Government Increased It—So What Now?”
When residents questioned EB workers, the response was indifferent.
“They say ‘the government increased the rates.’ Is that enough of an answer? Is that fair?”
“The officials don’t explain anything. They just say ‘it’s correct’ and leave. But what’s correct about ₹11,358?”
Many pointed out that no appliances were added, no air conditioners installed, and usage remained nearly identical to previous months. The discrepancy is not just financial—it’s psychological.
Impact Beyond Bills: Families Breaking, Dreams Crumbling
The repercussions extend beyond the bill:
- Children may drop out of school as parents struggle with rising costs
- Families are forced to cut essential spending
- Some talk of migrating to cities in search of work
- Daily life is consumed by fear of the next bill
“Is this the government we voted for?”
“Will we have to protest to be heard?”
“Our lives are not luxuries. Electricity is essential.”
A Desperate Plea to the Government
Residents are not asking for favors—they are demanding justice. The core demands include:
- Transparent billing
- Meter audit for every affected household
- Immediate rollback or review of inflated bills
- Public inquiry into billing anomalies
- Monthly printed statements and grievance channels
“We are citizens of this country. We deserve to be heard.”
“We trusted this government with our votes. Is this what we get in return?”
Final Words: “We’re Not Just One Family—It’s an Entire Village”
This is not an isolated case. Entire streets have received unusually high bills, and dozens of families are suffering in silence. Sujaatha, who bravely spoke up, represents thousands across Tamil Nadu whose voices are still unheard.
“If the government can give us ₹1,000 in welfare, how can they take ₹11,000 back as a bill?”
“We demand an answer. We demand justice.”
Government and TANGEDCO's Stand
The TNERC says the hike is linked to CPI inflation index, as per the 2022–2027 regulatory roadmap. Electricity Minister has publicly claimed “no net impact for domestic users below 500 units.”
Yet the ground reality appears different. The lack of public awareness, non-transparent billing, and poor grievance redressal are worsening consumer frustration.
Expert Take: Not Just Rates, But Process Transparency
“When people get an SMS saying they owe ₹11,000 without any usage detail, it creates fear and mistrust,” says energy policy analyst R. Venkatesh.
“TANGEDCO needs to implement real-time online usage dashboards, printed breakdowns, and awareness campaigns.”
Conclusion
The July 2025 electricity tariff revision has exposed not just pricing issues, but a deep communication gap between Tamil Nadu’s power board and its people. While regulatory bodies cite policy compliance, consumers ask a simple question:
“Isn’t electricity a basic need? If we can’t even afford to light our homes, how can we talk about digital India or development?”
Until clarity is restored and the burden lightened, the current in Tamil Nadu may remain switched on — but trust is at risk of being unplugged.
Source
This article is based on a verified multi-person transcript collected from real citizens in Thiruvathur, Sivagangapuram. It reflects their lived reality, untouched by politics, and driven by basic human dignity.
This is not a single complaint. This is a cry from the ground.
