SRINAGAR: Government departments, industrial units, semi-government organisations, and private institutions owe hundreds of crores to the Power Development Department (PDD) in outstanding electricity dues, the government informed the Legislative Assembly.
In response to a query by MLA Sheikh Khursheed, the government, revealed that power defaulters have accumulated massive dues, putting a significant strain on the power sector.
Among the largest defaulters, Baba Jang tops the list with an outstanding bill of Rs 63.78 crore, followed by the Chief Engineer of Salal Hydroelectric NHPC at Rs 56.96 crore. XEN PHE Sopore has dues amounting to Rs 45.84 crore, while the Chief Mining Engineer of JK Minerals Ltd owes Rs 42.43 crore.
Other major defaulters include Rajpora Lift Irrigation AWP Stage 1 & 2 (Rs 39.83 crore), Ex-Engineer PHE Mechanical Division Sopore (Rs 26.87 crore), Water Supply Scheme Tangnar (Rs 24.10 crore), Manager Jammu & Kashmir Cements Ltd. (Rs 22.49 crore), Lift Irrigation Lethpora Stage 1st (Rs 21.97 crore), and Ex-Engineer PHE Mechanical Division Sopore (PR 96) (Rs 21.41 crore), among others.
The Minister In-Charge of PDD, informed that 2,75,081 consumers have registered under the ongoing amnesty scheme, including 1,60,507 from Jammu and 1,14,574 from Kashmir.
The government has introduced an amnesty scheme allowing consumers with pending bills to clear dues in instalments while receiving relief on interest and penalties, the minister added. (KNO)
