The dialogue organised by the Centre for Energy, Environment, and People (CEEP) brought together 50 participants, including civil society representatives, sectoral experts, and consumers, to discuss the implications of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (RERC) recent tariff order. It focused on key issues such as transparency in regulatory processes, equity in tariff design, and the financial and operational challenges facing Rajasthan’s distribution companies (DISCOMs). Speakers highlighted concerns over the poor accessibility of tariff petitions, outdated sales estimation methodologies, and discrepancies in data related to small consumers and agricultural connections. The discussions underscored the need for greater public engagement in electricity governance, improved regulatory accountability, and a fairer approach to cost distribution among consumer groups.

Experts such as Ashwini Chitnis and Prateek Agrawal emphasised the importance of addressing high power purchase costs, which constitute a significant portion of the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR). Concerns were raised over inefficient coal procurement, cascading transmission losses, and the growing burden of regulatory assets. Recommendations included strengthening consumer participation in regulatory decisions, improving DISCOM efficiency, and ensuring transparent data-sharing practices. The event concluded with a consensus on the need for reforms to enhance service quality, reduce financial inefficiencies, and create a more equitable electricity distribution framework that does not disproportionately impact smaller consumers.