J&K Govt extends PDD amnesty for domestic consumers till March 2026
Jammu, Aug 4: In a big reprieve to a large section of people, Jammu and Kashmir government has extended Power Development Department’s “amnesty scheme for domestic consumers -2022” till March 2026.
Extension, however, has come with a clarification that 100 percent waiver of interest and surcharge is allowed in respect of outstanding amounts as on March 31, 2025.
Besides, the Department has reiterated its caveat that there will be no further extension of the amnesty.
Amnesty has been extended in compliance with the decision of Council of Ministers taken on July 29, 2025, in furtherance of an announcement made by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the budget session in March this year.
The Chief Minister also holds the charge of the Power Development Department.
During this year’s budget session, responding to the issues raised by members vis-à-vis departments under his charge, he had announced the extension of the amnesty scheme for PDD domestic consumers yet for “one last time.”
“This will be the last one-time amnesty as frequent waivers are unfair to those who pay their bills on time,” he cautioned, while proposing a new scheme that would offer incentives on outstanding dues in proportion to future payments, encouraging a culture of timely bill payments.
CM Omar also reiterated the importance of metering to improve revenue collection and reduce losses besides stressing the need to revive the Roshni scheme in a new format asserting that it was imperative.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the extension of amnesty in favour of the domestic consumers granted vide Government order No 103-PDD of 2022 dated 12-09-2022 read with Government order No 47-JKPDD of 2024 dated March 15, 2024 for the period ending March 31, 2026, subject to same terms and conditions as mentioned in Government order No 103-PDD of 2022 dated September 12, 2022 read with Government order No 47-JKPDD of 2024 dated March 15, 2024 except that 100 percent waiver of interest and surcharge is allowed in respect of outstanding amount as on March 31, 2025,” Principal Secretary Power Development Department (PDD) H Rajesh Prasad has ordered.
“It is further ordered that there shall be no further extension of the amnesty,” Prasad warned. Notably, the power amnesty scheme, approved by the Administrative Council, headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on September 12, 2022 had invoked an overwhelming response among consumers, appreciating that the government had extended a huge benefit by waiving off the interest and surcharge portion of the billed amount up to March-2022.
The decision was taken by the Administrative Council in view of domestic consumers not being able to avail the benefits of the last scheme due to spread of COVID-19 pandemic during the scheme period.
Power Development Department (PDD), in its order on September 12, 2022, had declared waiver of the 100 percent interest that had accrued on domestic electricity bills amounting Rs 937.34 Cr due to non-payments for J&K residents.
The decision was taken to benefit more than 5.50 lakh domestic consumers.
People were buoyed as in some cases even 75 percent of the total outstanding amount was waived off as part of amnesty benefit extended by the government. However, while announcing the waiver, the Power Development Department had set some conditions for consumers to avail this benefit which included outstanding principal amount arrears accumulated up to March 31, 2022 after waiving off 100 percent interest or surcharge in favour of the domestic consumers should be paid in a maximum of 12 monthly instalments beginning from September 12 (date of issuance of order).
The failure to do so within the prescribed period would invite penalty and legal action – was an explicit condition.
On March 15, 2024, it was further extended by the Administrative Council till March, 2025.
