The Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce (NVCC) has extended its support to the protest led by the All India Renewable Energy Association (AIREA) against the revised electricity tariff structure and newly introduced solar energy regulations by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSDCEL).
Effective February 13, 2026, MSDCEL imposed restrictions on solar power generation capacity through a new solar application system and implemented several new rules. These changes have triggered strong opposition from traders and business organisations across Maharashtra.
As part of the protest, AIREA organised rallies across various parts of Nagpur on March 2, 2026, voicing strong dissent against the new regulations.
AIREA sought support from the Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce, a leading organisation representing 1.3 million traders in the Vidarbha region. The Chamber subsequently announced its full backing for the protest.
Saket Suri, Convenor of the Chamber’s Energy Committee and President of AIREA, stated that the new application introduced by MSDCEL is contrary to state regulations. He pointed out that no policy document or official announcement was issued prior to its implementation, and it was directly enforced on the state portal. This, he said, would hinder future energy planning.
He further explained that whenever a solar system is installed, electricity consumption typically increases after installation, which is natural and supports India’s progress toward becoming a power-surplus and developed nation. However, under the new rules, MSDCEL has reduced electricity consumption limits for consumers, adopting a regressive energy planning approach rather than a forward-looking one. He argued that this contradicts the Government of India’s progressive renewable energy and electric vehicle adoption goals.
Suri also highlighted contradictions with the national net metering and load extension frameworks. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, auto load extension up to 10 kW had been introduced nationwide to expedite solar approvals. However, this limit was recently reduced to 5 kW and, under the latest directive, has now been halted in Maharashtra. He warned that this would significantly slow the adoption of residential solar systems in the state and adversely affect the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
Under the new regulations, arbitrary restrictions have allegedly been imposed on consumers seeking subsidies for solar energy generation. MSDCEL has claimed that customers are installing higher solar capacity to avail greater subsidies and are misusing domestic subsidies for industrial purposes. However, Suri clarified that under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, installing higher-capacity solar systems does not increase the subsidy amount.
He described MSDCEL’s allegations as baseless and misleading, stating that such cases are distinct and require approvals at multiple stages. He also termed the changes made to the RTS portal and the National Solar Mission framework as unlawful, adding that the new modifications were introduced without prior notice.
NVCC President Farooq Akbani remarked that electricity in Maharashtra is already more expensive compared to other states, leading several industries to shift operations to neighbouring states. Many national schemes, he said, have also moved elsewhere due to high power tariffs. He added that the Chamber has consistently raised concerns regarding electricity rates and fixed charges and fully supports the present movement.
Chamber Secretary CA Hemant Sarda said that while the government promotes solar energy, MSDCEL is simultaneously discouraging its adoption by reducing consumption limits and imposing stringent subsidy-related conditions. This, he warned, would not only obstruct economic growth but also reduce government revenue.
The protest was attended by several Chamber office-bearers, including President Farooq Akbani, former President Ashwin Prakash Mehadia (Agrawal), Vice Presidents Swapnil Ahirkar, CA Ashwini Agrawal and Umesh Patel, Secretary CA Hemant Sarda, Treasurer Sachin Puniyani, Energy Committee Convenor and AIREA President Saket Suri, along with AIREA members and a large number of traders.
The above information was issued through a press release by Secretary CA Hemant Sarda.
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