Govt departments, industrial units among major defaulters in payment of power dues, owe crores to PDD

Srinagar, March 13: Government departments, industrial units, semi government organizations and private institutions owe hundreds of crores to the Power Development Department (PDD) on the account of electricity dues, the government informed the Legislative Assembly.

In response to a query by MLA Sheikh Khursheed, the government revealed these defaulters have put a massive strain on the power sector.

Among the biggest defaulters, Baba Jang tops the list with an outstanding bill of Rs 63.78 crore, followed by Chief Engineer Salal Hydroelectric NHPC at Rs 56.96 crore. XEN PHE Sopore has dues amounting to Rs 45.84 crore, while Chief Mining Engineer J&K Minerals Ltd owes Rs 42.43 crore.

Other notable 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 – Rs 21.41 crore.

According to the Kashmir News Observer, Minister In-Charge of Power Development Department (PDD) informed the Legislative Assembly 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 for consumers allowing them to clear dues in installments to get relief on interest and penalties, the Minister added.