SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is examining on merits whether to extend its electricity dues amnesty scheme, which expired on March 31, 2026, including for financially distressed domestic consumers and small industrial units.
The Power Development Department disclosed this in a reply to Starred D. No. 1/6/496, tabled by MLA Tariq Hamed Karra, on power distribution infrastructure.
The department said the previous Amnesty Scheme, introduced in 2022 to address outstanding electricity dues of domestic consumers, was extended until March 31, 2026. Under it, eligible domestic consumers, including economically weaker sections, were entitled to a 100 per cent waiver of surcharge and interest accumulated up to March 31, 2025, provided they cleared the outstanding principal amount by March 31, 2026.
The Government clarified that the scheme did not provide for payment of dues in instalments.
Asked about a possible fresh relief scheme for domestic consumers with sanctioned loads of 2–4 KW but relatively low or minimal actual consumption, the department said its extension was being examined on merits.
The same position was conveyed on extending the amnesty or introducing a one-time settlement mechanism for small and financially distressed industrial units. No timeline or modalities for a fresh scheme have been announced.
On concerns over shortages of distribution transformers, poles, cables and other infrastructure, the department said the distribution network was continuously expanding as new households, commercial establishments and industrial connections were added.
It said the increasing demand was being addressed through infrastructure upgrades under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and UT CAPEX. The timelines for individual works would depend on their sanction, procurement and execution schedules.
The department said priority was being given to areas facing higher constraints, with works including replacement of bare conductors with aerial bundled cables, upgrading transformers and poles, and feeder segregation aimed at reducing overloading and improving grid reliability and power quality.
The reply was signed by the Minister in Charge, Power Development Department, and the Under Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department.
