SRINAGAR: In a bid to alleviate the burden of outstanding electricity dues and foster financial relief for consumers, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has issued a crucial advisory urging consumers to capitalize on the extended Amnesty Scheme-2022.
This scheme, which offers a pathway to settle outstanding electricity dues, has been extended until March 31, 2025, following a recent decision by the Administrative Council.
Chaired by Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Administrative Council’s decision specifically benefits domestic electricity consumers.
A local news agency reported that this extension offers consumers an extended window of opportunity to resolve their outstanding electricity bills under more favorable terms.
The move underscores the commitment of the authorities to support consumers facing financial difficulties, especially in the wake of various economic challenges.
By extending the Amnesty Scheme-2022, the aim is not only to provide immediate financial relief but also to encourage responsible financial management among consumers.
The advisory serves as a reminder to consumers to seize this opportunity and take proactive steps to address their outstanding electricity dues.
It highlights the significance of availing themselves of the extended scheme before the deadline to avoid potential penalties or further financial strain.
The high-level Administrative Council meeting, attended by Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, J&K; and Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, had approved the extension of the Amnesty Scheme, aiming to provide respite to domestic consumers grappling with accumulated power dues.
Under the extended Amnesty Scheme, domestic consumers stand to benefit from a complete waiver of 100 percent interest and surcharge on outstanding principal amounts. Notably, the domestic consumer category constitutes a significant portion, comprising over 86 percent of JKPDD consumers, with nearly half of the total energy consumption in the UT attributed to this demographic.
Despite the substantial benefits offered by the Amnesty Scheme, approximately 30 percent of domestic consumers, estimated at around 5.50 lakh, either resort to staggered payments or have defaulted on their electricity bills. The accumulation of outstanding power dues, coupled with late payment surcharges and interest, has exacerbated commercial losses for JKPDD and its associated Discoms.
The implementation of the Amnesty Scheme has yielded promising results, with a noteworthy recovery of Rs. 235.58 crore from domestic consumers. This initiative enables consumers to avail themselves of the surcharge waiver and facilitates payment of the principal amount through affordable installment plans, thereby easing the financial burden.
Furthermore, the successful recovery of outstanding principal amounts is anticipated to mitigate the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Aggregate Cost of Supply (ACS) gap.
Additionally, it is poised to contribute positively towards reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, thereby enhancing the overall financial health of the Government and DISCOMS.
In light of these developments, the KPDCL advisory serves as a reminder to consumers to seize the opportunity presented by the extended Amnesty Scheme-2022, emphasizing the importance of timely payment to secure waivers on accumulated interest and surcharges.
