KPDCL disconnects thousands of non-paying consumers

Srinagar, July 19: Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Friday said that it has intensified its drive against non-payment of electricity bills and remotely disconnected thousands of smart-metered consumers.

Similarly, in flat-rated areas, those consumers who haven’t paid their pending dues for months together are being physically disconnected, till they clear their bills with KPDCL.

In a handout issued to GNS, a KPDCL spokesperson stated that fervent appeals have been made urging consumers to pay their bills on time. He further stated that KPDCL is a Service Provider that needs timely clearance of bills by all categories of consumers for electricity supplied to remain economically viable.

While 1,134 smart-metered consumers were disconnected in Electric Division Chanapora on Thursday, electricity supply of 440 consumers in ESD Baramulla I, 240 in ESD Baramulla II and 228 in ESD Qazigund were also snapped.

Large number of consumers are being remotely disconnected across other Subdivisions of Habba Kadal, Watalkadal,  Hawal, Anantnag, Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore, Budgam, Chadoora, Zainakote, Zakura, Nishat and  Dalgate for not paying bills for over three months,” he added.

Seeking cooperation from all consumers in clearing pending dues, the spokesman said that KPDCL will further accelerate disconnection drives against defaulter consumers who are reluctant to pay their electricity bills on time.

Urging the consumers with huge opening balance to avail the benefits of Government’s Power Amnesty Scheme, the spokesman advised them to approach the concerned Electric Subdivision for paying principal amount in full or instalments, enabling them to claim waiver on late payment surcharge. “To facilitate the consumers, KPDCL is organising Amnesty Camps on daily basis across all Electric Divisions and so far, over 1 lakh domestic consumers have availed the benefits of the scheme,” reads the statement.