Not just some government and private establishments, even the Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation are on top of the defaulters' list
Be warned, the lights are going to be off. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport's (BEST) anger is understandable. With bills running into crores of rupees pending for years, the Undertaking is finding it difficult to pay its own staff.
So now, it has decided to talk tough. Not just some government and private establishments, even the Mumbai Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are on top of the defaulters' list.
BEST has already shot notices to some state and central government establishments and have started taking action. Some of them have promised to pay up.
Last week, it disconnected the power supply to the Manora MLA Hostel. Notices giving one week's ultimatum were also sent to Cama Hospital, Bal Bhavan, Central Public Works Department, Customs, municipal schools and the Archaeological Survey of India.
These departments had sought one week's time to pay up the bills, running into lakhs of rupees. But they failed to keep the promise, and BEST pulled the plug, literally.
At Cama Hospital, patients were not hit as BEST disconnected the supply to the administrative offices only. All these entities have once again sought more time.
"Bills worth crores of rupees are pending. With BEST not having enough money to even pay its employees, we had to resort to the last option," said a senior official.
Last week, BEST had sent notices to more than 5 lakh consumers and government establishments. "Since many offices fall under emergency and important services, it is difficult to disconnect the supply. Even the Mumbai Police are yet to pay bills worth Rs 60 lakh. When we cut the supply to the administrative offices, several private establishments and consumers started falling in line," said an official.
Anil Kokil, Chairman of BEST Committee, said that the undertaking is running losses and government establishments are just not paying heed to their requests.
"How are we supposed to run the administration? The action is not sudden. We have been sending reminders for months and years. When power supply is disconnected, all establishments give a commitment in writing. Many have assured to pay up in 10 days. Power is a service-oriented sector and we cannot take a tough stand. But this time, BEST is really feeling the pressure and the government should cooperate," said Kokil.
"None of the three authorities - state government, Centre and BMC – helps us when it come to waiving off taxes or giving grants. Then why should we go slow on pending bills," he asked.
HOLE IN THE PURSE
Central govt: Rs. 3.12 crore
State govt: Rs. 23.87 crore
BMC: 11.38 crore
Pvt establishments, consumers: Rs. 10. 37 crore
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