Consumers to get Rs. 800 crore benefit under electricity bill dues settlement scheme
Bhopal : Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla has said that consumers will get Rs. 800 crore benefit under electricity bill dues settlement scheme for payment of outstanding dues. He said that consumers have given good response to the scheme, which will continue till March 31. Under the scheme, benefit is being extended to BPL and slum areas domestic consumers. Shukla was addressing a meeting of departmental advisory committee here today. Member MLAs Sarvshri Harsh Yadav, Balbir Singh Dandotiya and Madho Singh Dabar also attended the meeting.
Shukla informed that the department has also launched a scheme to convert temporary agriculture pump connections to permanent. He said that all 5 lakh temporary agriculture pump connections in the state will be converted to permanent in next 5 years. Under the flat rate scheme, farmers would pay bills with reduced amount. The Minister informed that 85 percent work of feeder separation has been completed to supply 24X7 power to non-agriculture consumers and 10 hours to agriculture consumers. So far, 5,660 feeders have been separated in the state. Shukla informed that a sum of Rs. 16 thousand crore per annum was spent on power sector reforms 4 years ago, which has been increased to Rs. 25 thousand crore now.
Shukla informed that problems of 15 thousand 700 consumers were solved at 1407 camps during February. The Minister also informed about LED bulb distribution scheme being launched from March 12.
Shukla said that suggestions put forth at the meeting would be examined. According to committee members, weaker section consumers are facing difficulty in payment since they are being served bills including outstanding amount of 2-3 months together instead of monthly bills. Principal Secretary Energy I.C.P. Kesari informed that process to invite tenders for appointment of private agency for meter reading and bill distribution has been completed. These arrangements will undergo much improvement in coming months.
