No amnesty for industrial power defaulters: Govt

Srinagar, Oct 29: The J&K government today ruled out any amnesty scheme to waive off outstanding dues for industrial electricity consumers while stating that domestic amnesty schemes have benefited over 3 lakh consumers and generated ₹322 crore in revenue.

Responding to Un-Starred Assembly Question by INC MLA Tariq Hameed Karra, the Power Development Department (PDD) has stated that there was no such proposal under consideration of the department that would exonerate the industrial units from paying electricity liabilities. Regarding domestic amnesty schemes, the department has stated that the first Amnesty Scheme that started in September 2022 and lasted in March 2025 benefitted 2,81,966 (JPDCL: 1,64,729, KPDCL: 1,17,237) domestic consumers.

From this, a revenue of ₹322 crore was realised (JPDCL: ₹164 crore, KPDCL: ₹158 crore). The
second and the ongoing Amnesty Scheme that will end in March 2026 has so far benefitted 18307 under KPDCL and under JPDCL 547. It has earned the department a revenue of ₹16 crore.

The amnesty scheme for domestic consumers offers full waiver of interest and surcharge up to 31.03.2023. However, the principal amount is to be paid in full, the Government has stated.

The reply translates into the message that consumers must clear the base dues to avail benefits. The Government has stated that disconnection of power is rare in case of consumers who have been defaulters and have huge outstanding arrears. Asked if the consumers were made to pay ₹5000 for restoration of connection and in subsequent bills, the outstanding amounts were carried forward with no effect of amnesty, the Government has replied immediate restoration upon partial payment of dues is made, while unpaid principal continues to reflect in future bills.