Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, who heads the Energy Department, revealed in the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday that a staggering Rs 6,957.57 crore in outstanding electricity dues remains unpaid across the state.
The figures, provided in a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Rama Chandra Kadam, show that this massive unpaid sum is owed by industrial, commercial, and domestic consumers.
“As per the reports received from the power distribution companies (discoms), the electricity bill of Rs 6,558.64 crore is pending against the active consumers of the state, while Rs 398.93 crore is pending against various active industrial and commercial consumers,” Singh Deo said.
Deputy CM Singh Deo assured that the discoms are undertaking various steps to collect the substantial backlog of dues.
He said monthly domestic electricity bills are being collected through door-to-door visits, while the pending dues are being collected through special camps.
Power supply is being disconnected following the issuance of notices to customers who fail to pay their bills on time, he said.
An online payment system has also been set up, and street plays are being organised in rural areas to create awareness about it, he added.
