Maha govt orders to disconnect electricity supply to recover lockdown dues

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited(MSEDCL)has issued notices to consumers informing them about cutting off their power supply if they fail to pay the arrears. 

 "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. 

71,68,596 electricity consumers have received such notices in the state. The notice expires on January 30. After which the power cut is likely to start from Monday.

MSEDCL has started sending notices to customers via SMS from December 15 reminding them of paying the arrears. It has appealed to pay the arrears and if the arrears are not paid within 15 days, the power supply will be cut off. Most notices have been issued to customers in Pune division. There, notices have been sent to 24,14,868 customers through SMS. The lowest number of 9,97,397 notices have been issued in Aurangabad division while 16,79,984 notices have been issued in Vidarbha.