Arrears of Rs 2,086 crore takes a toll on Assam Power Distribution Company Limited

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Despite exceeding its monthly revenue collection target in the past 100 days, the outstanding Rs 2,086-crore arrears dues are taking their toll on APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Limited).

APDCL is still running under loss. Talking to The Sentinel, a top APDCL official said, "At the beginning of August this year, we had arrears dues of Rs 2,352 crore. Now we have reduced it to Rs 2,086 crore after the recovery of Rs 267 crore. We have taken measures, including fines for late payment of power bills.

"Even now, only around 60 per cent of the total consumers are paying power bills regularly. Unless 90-100 per cent of consumers pay power bills regularly, outstanding arrears dues will continue to stay. However, that will take time.

"Power theft is one of the main reasons behind the power sector in the state making loss. However, we have taken drastic measures against this menace. We have conducted 4,103 drives against power theft in the past 100 days. These drives have led to the filing of 971 complaints and the collection of Rs 3.29-crore revenue.

"Non-clearance of power bills in the past 100 days also led to the disconnection of 2,69,403 power consumers. Restoration of power connection to the disconnected consumers also led to the collection of Rs 92.28 crore.

"The measures we have taken in the past 100 days are paying off. The power revenue collection is going up by around Rs 450 crore per month. The power revenue collection in July was Rs 735.16 crore against Rs 555 crore in June this year. The power revenue collections were Rs 382 crore in January, Rs 345 crore in February, Rs 320 crore in March, Rs 319 crore in April and Rs 336 crore in May this year."

The official further said that APDCL needed Rs 6,825 crore annually – Rs 6,000 crore for purchasing power from the public sector and around Rs 700 crore for employees salaries.

"The daily power demand in the state is 1,948 MW against the APDCL's daily generation of 313 MW," the official added.

Also Read: Over 24 Lakh Electric Consumers Defaulted In Paying Dues in July 2021: Assam Power Minister

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