Over 5.50 lakh domestic power consumers across Jammu and Kashmir will obtain the benefit of the Amnesty Scheme approved by the Administrative Council headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha a few days back. This step will help the Government in making a recovery of around Rs 1800 crore that too after waiving off interest and surcharge worth Rs 937 crore.
The decision was taken by the Administrative Council in view of domestic consumers not being able to avail the benefits of the last scheme due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during the scheme period.
As per the order issued by Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department Nitishwar Kumar, sanction has been accorded to waive-off 100% interest/surcharge on outstanding electricity bills in favour of domestic consumers accumulated up to March 31, 2022 subject to certain terms and conditions.
The outstanding principal amount arrears accumulated up to March 31, 2022 after waiving off 100% interest/surcharge in favour of domestic consumers shall be paid in a maximum of 12 monthly installments starting from today.
The Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) will evaluate/segregate the due principal amount and interest/surcharge to be waived off in a printed form on the bills of domestic consumers availing the Amnesty before its delivery. With this step, the Government is estimated to recover Rs 1800 crore after waiving off interest/surcharge to the tune of Rs 937 crore, officials said, adding a detailed exercise in this regard has already been conducted by the Power Development Department in both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
“The failure of payment of any installment/installments within the prescribed 12 months period will invite penalty and legal action under Electricity Act, 2003 in addition to the accrual of compound interest on the outstanding dues”, the Government said, adding “the benefits of scheme shall be availed by way of paying of installments in the prescribed period of 12 months after segregation of outstanding dues from the current bills. However, the current bills will be paid separately and regularly without any fail”.