Despite strong opposition from the public and opposition parties, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant defended the recent 3.5% increase in electricity tariffs. Addressing the media on Wednesday, Sawant clarified that the tariff hike, determined by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), amounts to an increase of only 0.6 to 0.9 paise per unit. He emphasized that the hike will have a minimal effect on monthly electricity bills, raising them by just Rs 8 to Rs 10 for common people. Sawant urged the public to understand that the modest increase is necessary and will not significantly impact their finances.