In a significant move to ease the cost burden on electricity consumers and boost industrial activity, the Rajasthan government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, has announced a major reduction in cable testing charges for applicants seeking electricity connections for the first time.
Acting on the state government’s directions, Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) has provided relief ranging from 20% to 62% in cable testing fees for both High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) electricity connections. This marks the first such reduction in several years, during which testing charges had consistently increased.
Significant Cut in HT and LT Cable Testing Fees
As per the revised structure:
For HT connections, the maximum cable testing charge has been reduced from ₹81,381 to ₹55,000
For LT connections, the maximum charge has been slashed from ₹54,257 to ₹20,750
Overall, applicants will now see:
A reduction of ₹8,300 to ₹26,381 in HT cable testing fees
A reduction of ₹6,618 to ₹33,507 in LT cable testing fees
Big Boost for Entrepreneurs and Commercial Projects
The decision will provide maximum benefit to entrepreneurs, malls, commercial complexes, and residential multi-storey building developers who install cables at their own cost while applying for new electricity connections.
For safety reasons, such cables must undergo mandatory testing at the DISCOM’s Central Testing Laboratory, for which applicants are charged a testing fee. The revised rates substantially reduce this financial burden, especially for new industrial and commercial ventures.
Decision Based on Inter-State Study
JVVNL rationalised the cable testing charges after studying practices followed by DISCOMs in other states. The decision was finalised in the DISCOM Coordination Forum meeting, following which formal orders were issued by the Superintending Engineer (Inspection & Stores) on Wednesday.
The move comes after repeated representations by Laghu Udyog Bharati, UCORI, and other industrial associations, which had urged the state government to intervene and provide relief.
