Those who pay their electricity bills in installments will no longer receive concessions. The Energy Corporation has issued an order not to accept partial payments. The City Division of the Electricity Distribution Division will operate under this arrangement until March.
Many consumers in the city are unable to pay their electricity bills in one go. They used to have the option of paying in installments, but this time the Energy Corporation has tightened its restrictions. Sources say this decision was taken in view of the end of the financial year. Officials believe that people have been evading bills for a long time, and when the amount increases, they pressure them to pay in installments. Following the new order, consumers will be required to pay their electricity bills in one go.
5,350 Defaulters Owe ₹10.50 Crore
The City Division has 50,000 consumers. Of these, 350 defaulters with a balance of more than ₹50,000 owe ₹4.50 crore. Additionally, there are 5,000 defaulters with a balance of less than ₹50,000, who owe ₹6 crore. Notices are currently being issued to those with outstanding dues of more than 50,000.
UPCL will benefit from the new order.
UPCL previously provided relief to consumers by paying 50 percent of the bill amount, but due to the increasing outstanding amount, a new order has been issued. This will make defaulters more likely to pay their bills without fear of disconnection.
Connections of two shopkeepers disconnected for non-payment of 50,000 bills
On Wednesday, a team from the Electricity Distribution Division Rural Division conducted a campaign in the TP Nagar area and disconnected the connections of two shopkeepers. They had outstanding bills of 50,000 rupees. Junior Engineer Dheeraj Pant stated that the corporation is taking action against those who fail to pay their pending bills.
Up to December, 50 percent of the bill amount can be deposited, but the old bills from January to March must be paid together. This order has been posted in the office.
– Pradeep Kumar, Executive Engineer, UPCL
