Srinagar, Aug 19 (KNO): The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has mandated that hotels, guest houses, resorts, and homestays registered with the Ladakh Tourism Department will be reclassified for electricity billing.
The Commission said that these establishments shall be charged tariffs at par with industrial consumers—a move that may alter operational costs for the region’s hospitality sector.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD), said that JERC for the UTs of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh has issued the tariff order for LPDD, determining the electricity tariff applicable to consumers in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
“Following the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, UT Ladakh, LPDD had submitted a proposal to the JERC for reclassification of Hotels, Guest Houses, Resorts and Homestays from the Non-Commercial (Hotel/Resort) category to the Industrial category,” it reads.
“The Commission has accordingly approved that Hotels, Guest Houses, Resorts and Homestays registered with the Tourism Department, UT Administration of Ladakh, shall be charged electricity tariff at par with industrial consumers, with effect from September-01-2026.” It reads.
The statement said the Hotels, Guest Houses, Resorts and Homestays must be registered with the portal of Tourism Department, UT Administration of Ladakh to avail this benefit.
“The decision is expected to reduce the electricity cost burden on the hospitality sector and provide significant support to tourism establishments across Ladakh,” reads the statement.
LPDD further said that the decision will further contribute to the growth of tourism and allied economic activities, while creating a more favourable business environment for the hospitality sector in the Union Territory—(KNO)