Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 21: In a major decision to benefit the people, whose arrears have piled up on account of electricity charges, the State Government has decided to reduce electricity duty from existing 22 per cent to 10 per cent in respect of all categories of consumers, who want to avail benefit of the amnesty scheme.
The Government hoped to fetch Rs 250 crores worth revenue with the implementation of amnesty scheme for the defaulters as against Rs 950 crores outstanding against various categories of consumers including Rs 800 crores worth principal amount and Rs 150 crores surcharge.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Power Development Ministry headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh decided to bring in the amnesty scheme with concessions to all categories of consumers to ensure that it really benefits to people, who owed huge arrears to the Power Development Department instead of being mere amnesty scheme like the previous ones, which failed to enthuse the consumers and fetch any significant arrears.
“We are confident about the recovery of significant amount to the tune of Rs 250 crores with the implementation of new amnesty scheme, which will come into force within the next few days following approval given by the State Cabinet in its meeting on August 19,” sources said and hoped that it would benefit the consumers a long way and wouldn’t end up like the previous amnesty schemes.
When approached for comments, Dr Nirmal Singh said the PDD will waive off 100 per cent surcharge on outstanding electricity charges as on August 1, 2015 provided that domestic consumers make outstanding payment by the deadline, which has been fixed as March 31, 2016 in maximum of four equal installments.
Asserting that the amnesty scheme will prove very useful for the people having outstanding amount to the PDD, Dr Singh said the Department has also decided to reduce existing electricity duty from 22 per cent to 10 per cent for all categories of consumers, who wish to avail the amnesty scheme of the State Government.
Sources said the domestic and agriculture (excluding Government) categories of consumers, who have fully paid their bills will not be eligible under the new amnesty scheme.
“Any default in payment in accordance with the scheme shall debar the consumers from availing benefits of the scheme,” they said, adding that for successful implementation of the scheme, the Government will hold special camps in each division of the State to apprise consumers of its benefits.
Meanwhile, the State Cabinet today approved the amnesty scheme in its meeting held in Srinagar, the summer capital of the State.
The Cabinet approved waiver of 100% surcharge on outstanding electricity bills as on 1st August 2015, provided the domestic consumer makes the outstanding payment by or before 31st March 2016, in maximum of four equal installments.
The domestic and agriculture (excluding Government) categories of consumers who have fully paid their bills will not be eligible under this scheme.
It also asked PDD to organise special camps in each division for successful implementation of the scheme besides approved outsourcing of the activities of meter reading and bill distribution by the PDD.
The Cabinet also passed instructions to the J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission for reviewing distribution of tariff structure twice a year and make recommendations to the Government for its consideration.
Follow our WhatsApp channel