Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 23: Electricity bills worth Rs 1440 crore has been pending against various industries and commercial establishments in Odisha by the end of August this year, Deputy Chief Minister K V Singhdeo said in a statement in Odisha Assembly.
According to data provided by Singhdeo, who holds the Energy portfolio, highest Rs 633.49 crore electrify bills are pending against industries and commercial units in Tata Power North Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPNODL) while bills worth Rs 343.43 crore pending in TP Western Odisha Distribution Ltd.
Similarly, electricity bills worth Rs 298.26 crore has been pending against industries and business units in Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Ltd and Rs164.87 crore bills are appending in Tata Power North Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPNODL). As per the data, commercial establishments have not paid a total electricity bill of Rs 843.31 crore till August this year.
Large industrial units have not paid electricity duty of Rs 445.45 crore to the power distribution companies while Rs 151.29 crore pending against small industries in the State. Apart from the above categories, agriculture customers, government offices, domestic and other consumers have not paid electricity arrears.
To recover outstanding dues, power distribution companies are undertaking various measures, such as: implementing the ‘Gaon Chalo’ programme to improve rural services and connectivity; establishing BSKs (Electricity Service Centers) for bill collection and grievance registration, setting up a streamlined bill revision system; operationalizing a QR code-based electricity payment system, maintaining continuous communication and follow-up with consumers regarding payment of arrears, and conducting review meetings at various levels, he informed.
