HP Govt to resolve Solar power billing issues of members, says Deputy CM Agnihotri

Shimla, Aug 27,

The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday assured the state assembly that concerns over inflated electricity bills faced by solar panel users will be addressed promptly. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, responding during Question Hour, said the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) will be directed to look into faulty solar power metering and billing issues raised by legislators and consumers alike.

The matter was highlighted by MLA Anil Sharma, who alleged that despite installing rooftop solar panels, many consumers were receiving unexpectedly high bills. He further pressed the government to extend 80 per cent subsidy to households opting for solar panels to encourage clean energy adoption.

Agnihotri, however, clarified that the HPSEB was not arbitrarily imposing charges on solar consumers. “Tariffs are determined by the regulatory authority, not by the board itself. The supply to Sharma is at regulator-approved rates,” he explained. Still, he acknowledged the growing complaints and assured corrective measures.

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania also underlined the seriousness of the issue, noting that several MLAs and citizens had raised similar grievances about inflated power bills despite solar adoption. “The concerns are genuine and the House expects clarity for consumers,” the Speaker remarked, adding that the Assembly Secretariat will ensure accuracy in how questions are placed in future sessions after Sharma alleged that his original question had been altered.