Inflated electricity bill: MSEDCL to disconnect electricity supply to recover lockdown dues

In case you haven't yet paid your 'inflated' electricity bill received during the lockdown and hoping for some relief, then you are likely to be in for a shock. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited(MSEDCL) has instructed all the regional offices to recover the arrears and immediately cut off power supply if the payments are not made. 

"At the end of December 2020, the state has a total due pending of Rs 63,740 crore, which has worsened the financial condition of MSEDCL. Now, if the customer does not pay the electricity bill, MSEDCL will have no choice but to cut off the power supply," said the order. 

Till December end, agricultural pump customers in the state have dues pending of Rs 45,498 crore, while commercial, residential and industrial customers have dues of Rs 8,485 crore. Whereas Rs 2,435 crore are pending with the consumers using high voltage supply.

Earlier in first week of November Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut - had announced a "Diwali bonanza" for people of the state after complaints over inflated power bills.  The minister also gave hints that a decision related to high electricty bills will be taken soon, with a waiver likely.

However by the end of November 2020, Raut announced that the state government will not be able to waiver or provide any relaxation in the inflated power bills that consumers received after the lockdown. Electricity consumers in the state will have to pay the full amount as per readings in the bill.

MSEDCL has directed its employess to start the recovery campaign from January. The authorities have also indicated action against the employees who fail to recover the dues.