Mehta tells civic body to pay power bill dues

Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta has asked the civic administration on Monday to pay a pending bill of Rs 11.38 crore to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking immediately. The BEST undertaking, which is reeling under a cash crunch, has started pulling the power plug on those establishments that have not yet paid pending dues spanning a couple of years.

Pending power bills amounting to crores have not yet been paid by the central and state governments, as well as the municipal corporations. With the BEST administration struggling to pay its employees, the undertaking has decided to crack the whip on defaulters.

Last week, BEST snapped the power supply to Manora MLA hostel building in south Mumbai for some time over non-payment of bill dues. BEST has also served notices with a one-week ultimatum to Cama Hospital, Bal Bhavan, Central Public Works Department offices, Customs, municipal schools and the Archaeological Survey of India. These establishments had sought a one-week window to pay pending bills running into lakhs. The BEST administration has also sent notices to more than five lakh consumers and other government establishments. Those on the defaulters list seem to have committed to pay thei bills to avoid further action, with BEST restoring power supply for now.

BEST NOTICE

Last week, BEST snapped the power supply to Manora MLA hostel building over non-payment of dues. BEST has also served notices to Cama Hospital, Bal Bhavan and CPWD offices among others.