Srinagar, Feb 10 (Agency) In its first drive against the defaulters, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) snapped the electricity connections of 1329 consumers who have failed to liquidate their dues in time, an official spokesman said. He said connections of only 1329 consumers were disconnected to sensitize the masses to clear their liabilities on account of electricity bills and develop habits of paying electricity bills in time. Presently, KPDCL is overburdened with huge arrears on account of domestic electricity dues of around 804 Cr and these defaulters had accumulated arrears to the tune of Rs 12.67Cr, he said adding the Disconnection drive has successfully realized substantial arrears as on date and is expected to be cleared soon. He said taking cognizance of poor revenue realization despite providing reliable power supply amid harsh winters, the Sub Divisions of KPDCL launched a fresh massive disconnection drive of chronic defaulters.
Time and again, the general public is informed of the Amnesty Scheme launched by the Government of J&K for its domestic electricity consumers with large outstanding dues, wherein a consumer can pay his outstanding bill in maximum 12 easy monthly installments, the spokesman said. It is impressed upon all the consumers of KPDCL with huge electricity bill outstanding dues that this successful disconnection drive shall be continued with greater force, he said.KPDCL has come out with large infrastructure additions for providing better, efficient and reliable power supply while keeping extremely low tariff rates to its consumers. Although the Department has played an active role in motivating and facilitating revenue realization by way of social awareness of judicious electricity use and timely payment of electricity bills, still a large percentage of KPDCL consumers are hesitant in clearing their long outstanding electricity dues, he added. All consumers in general and defaulters in particular are advised to clear their electricity outstanding dues or avail Amnesty Scheme without further delay and help KPDCL to avoid the inconvenience to consumers by the act of disconnection of their power supply, the spokesman added.