The scheme will cover connections that were disconnected because of power theft, meter tampering, other irregularities, and failure to pay dues, among others
Two days before the crucial by-election to Jasdan assembly seat, the state government on Tuesday announced a scheme to waive off pending electricity dues of Rs 625 crore of more than 6.22 lakh consumers.
The waiver will cover connections that were permanently disconnected because of power theft, meter tampering, other irregularities, and failure to pay the dues, among others.
Energy minister Saurabh Patel told reporters that the one-time settlement scheme would cover permanently disconnected domestic, commercial and agricultural consumers in rural areas. Industrial consumers are not covered in the scheme.
"Existing power consumers, who have been issued supplementary bills for one or the other reason, will also be eligible to avail benefit under this scheme," he said.
As far as urban areas are concerned, only BPL residential consumers would be eligible for getting waiver under the scheme.
The outstanding dues of the 6.22 lakh consumers are to the tune of Rs 625 crore. The average pending due works out to be a little more than Rs 10,000. The minister said the existing dues, including interest charge, would be waived off on payment of Rs 500.
"However, consumers will have to pay the required charges if they want the power connection," said a government official.
The scheme would remain in effect from December 19 to February 28, he said.
The Opposition Congress said that announcement of farm loan waivers by the party's governments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had forced the state government to announce the scheme.
"We welcome any announcement that benefits farmers and common man, but this scheme is only for disputed cases, and few people will benefit," state Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.
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