90% Defaulters Yet to Settle Rs 3.17 Bn Power Dues in Noida

15 Jan 2025 CW Team

These consumers cleared dues amounting to Rs 300.40 million out of a total Rs 3.47 billion owed. Officials emphasized that stricter enforcement of the scheme would be implemented in the coming phases.

During a recent weekend meeting with the technical team of the power department, the Noida zone's chief engineer instructed that estimates for the year 2025 should be prepared, emphasizing the completion of infrastructure upgrades and maintenance for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 by March 31.

Harish Bansal, the chief zonal engineer of the Noida power department (PVVNL), reportedly stressed the importance of recovering dues from the remaining 1.17 lakh defaulters by the end of the month. He stated that camps would be established to facilitate collections and instructed that major defaulters be identified, with power disconnections enforced if necessary.

February has been designated as the department’s maintenance month, during which activities like trimming overgrown trees and conducting essential repairs will be prioritized.

Officials have highlighted the need to promote awareness about the OTS scheme and involve public representatives to inform residents of its benefits. Additionally, vigilance teams were advised to intensify efforts in areas prone to theft and difficult recoveries.

The scheme was introduced to help consumers settle their outstanding electricity dues by offering substantial discounts on surcharges for unpaid bills as of September 30, 2024. Farmers and domestic consumers were eligible for a complete waiver on outstanding dues if they made full payments during the first phase, which concluded on December 31.

Consumers registering under the scheme received varying levels of surcharge subsidies: 100 per cent in the first phase, 80 per cent in the second phase (January 1–15), and 70 per cent in the third phase (January 16–31). The scheme also offered instalment options and applied to domestic, commercial, private institutional, industrial, and permanently disconnected consumers.

Out of a total of 1.31 lakh defaulters in Noida, only 13,500 consumers availed of the one-time settlement (OTS) scheme during its first phase. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) launched the scheme in three phases, from December 15, 2024, to January 31, 2025. These consumers cleared dues amounting to Rs 300.40 million out of a total Rs 3.47 billion owed. Officials emphasized that stricter enforcement of the scheme would be implemented in the coming phases. During a recent weekend meeting with the technical team of the power department, the Noida zone's chief engineer instructed that estimates for the year 2025 should be prepared, emphasizing the completion of infrastructure upgrades and maintenance for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 by March 31. Harish Bansal, the chief zonal engineer of the Noida power department (PVVNL), reportedly stressed the importance of recovering dues from the remaining 1.17 lakh defaulters by the end of the month. He stated that camps would be established to facilitate collections and instructed that major defaulters be identified, with power disconnections enforced if necessary. February has been designated as the department’s maintenance month, during which activities like trimming overgrown trees and conducting essential repairs will be prioritized. Officials have highlighted the need to promote awareness about the OTS scheme and involve public representatives to inform residents of its benefits. Additionally, vigilance teams were advised to intensify efforts in areas prone to theft and difficult recoveries. The scheme was introduced to help consumers settle their outstanding electricity dues by offering substantial discounts on surcharges for unpaid bills as of September 30, 2024. Farmers and domestic consumers were eligible for a complete waiver on outstanding dues if they made full payments during the first phase, which concluded on December 31. Consumers registering under the scheme received varying levels of surcharge subsidies: 100 per cent in the first phase, 80 per cent in the second phase (January 1–15), and 70 per cent in the third phase (January 16–31). The scheme also offered instalment options and applied to domestic, commercial, private institutional, industrial, and permanently disconnected consumers.

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