The News Craving
The Newscraving Desk
Srinagar, Mar 21:
The Power Development Department will cut the electricity to households during the month of Ramadhan as the dues of some consumers run into lakhs.
According to officials the dues are even pending for 10-15 years. Although the authorities launched an amnesty scheme in August 2022 to waive off interest of the due power bills, there was still a large chunk of consumers who have not paid bills.
Officials said that the scheme lasts till September 2023, but there are even 30 percent consumers in some areas who have not paid bills. “Under the amnesty scheme the people would have to pay bills in instalments. Those who have opted for amnesty scheme willn’t face any disconnection. Although it is specified in the bill only that the non payment would incur disconnection, there is a time limit of 3 months for disconnection of service line on non payment of dues,” said an official of the PDD posted in Kashmir.
The consumers have been receiving messages asking them to clear the dues. “ In order to avoid inconvenience due to disconnection of electricity, during the holy month of Ramzaan, our esteemed consumers are requested to pay outstanding electricity dues at an earliest,” a message by the JKPDD reads.
Officials said that those who have failed to pay electricity dues of last three months will face disconnection in electricity. “ There are some chronic defaulters and we would act against them. In some areas some 30-40 percent people are not paying the bills in time. We are looking at streamlining the power distribution set up in Kashmir and these messages that are being sent out to people are aimed towards that,” added the PDD officials.
