Power Distribution wing can't waive off electricity bills: KPDCL

Srinagar, Dec 14: Superintending Engineer Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Shabir Ahmad Khan, today clarified that the power distribution wing has no authority to waive off electricity bills or grant exemptions, stating that all billing is done through a centralized online system and payments collected go directly to the government treasury.

Addressing concerns over electricity bills and the recent gathering of consumers at the Lok Adalat, Khan told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that power billing across all 67 subdivisions of Kashmir is fully digitised and transparent. He said KPDCL caters to over 52 lakh consumers, and complete consumer data is maintained in an online billing system that is available in the public domain.

“The distribution wing supplies electricity and raises bills strictly for the power supplied. There is a proper billing mechanism in place, and if consumers fail to pay their bills, power connections are disconnected as per rules,” Khan said.

He explained that KPDCL does not generate electricity on its own. “The government purchases power and supplies it through our system. We only distribute electricity, generate bills, and collect payments from consumers. The money collected does not belong to us; it is deposited directly into the government treasury,” he said.

Khan said that since the revenue collected is not retained by the department, KPDCL has no authority to grant exemptions. “Only the government has the power to announce any waiver or exemption. From time to time, the government introduces relief schemes,” he added.

Referring to past relief measures, the KPDCL official said the Power Development Department had earlier introduced an amnesty scheme, under which many consumers availed benefits. He added that the department can only reduce late payment surcharge, not the principal bill amount.

“When consumers delay bill payments, the department has to pay interest to power suppliers. If bills are paid on time, there is no surcharge at all,” Khan said.

He recalled that in 2022, the government reviewed the situation and introduced a scheme allowing consumers to clear dues in 12 instalments, excluding late payment surcharge, as a relief measure.

Commenting on the recent approach by some consumers to the Lok Adalat, Khan said the department was unclear why the forum was approached. “Lok Adalats are meant to resolve disputes, not to grant amnesty or exemptions in electricity bills,” he clarified.

KPDCL reiterated that timely bill payment is essential to ensure uninterrupted power supply and financial sustainability of the system, urging consumers to utilise government schemes whenever announced and clear dues within stipulated timelines. [KNT]