Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Water Resources Department (WRD) has swung into action to clear ₹ 33.79 crore in dues owed to the energy department. This follows a letter by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Energy Department, Neeraj Mandloi, to his counterpart in the WRD, ACS Rajesh Rajora, drawing attention to the pending amount.
On June 26, Mandloi had written to Rajora and following this correspondence, the executive engineer (Budget), WRD, on July 23 shot a missive to all chief engineers and executive engineers of the department regarding the clearance of dues.
WRD owes electricity dues amounting to ₹ 33.79 crore to all three power distribution companies (Discoms) in the state. Of this, ₹ 16.29 crore is due to the Eastern Electricity Distribution Company. District-wise, WRD in Rajgarh alone owes ₹ 4.55 crore.
Mandloi had stated in his letter that power companies have provided electricity connections to WRD offices and other locations. But what is concerning, he noted, is that the dues are continuously piling up due to non-payment.
If the discoms fail to recover dues on time, the grant to be received under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) could be converted into a loan. The AACS had noted. This would negatively affect the financial health of the power companies, he had further stated. Moreover, the non-recovery of dues could hinder their ability to pay power generation and coal supply companies. Moreover, non recovery of dues will leave power distribution companies helpless in making payments to power generating companies and even to coal supply companies.
It is learnt that WRD owes ₹ 16.29 crores in 21 districts to the eastern power distribution company followed by ₹ 11.41 crores to Central Power Distribution Company and ₹ 189 crore to Western Power Distribution Company.
Discom Dues
Eastern ₹ 16.29 crores
Central ₹ 11.41 crores
Western ₹189 crores
