Hyderabad, April 15: ‘Impact of hike in power tariff will be included in the next bill’ (sic) – was the message issued by the Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) to all the domestic consumers in the recently issued power bills.
But the same CPDCL finds itself in a helpless situation when it comes to recovering arrears worth `484 crore from various government departments.
Topping the list is the irrigation department which owes `131.85 crore to the CPDCL followed by panchayat raj and rural development with `124.80 crore and `101 crore respectively. The track record of these departments was no different last year too.
The CPDCL has prepared department-wise arrears list recently. Interestingly, the department of energy itself is not prudent in paying the power bills promptly.
Central government departments and Central government undertakings were toeing the line of the state government departments and they owe `100 crore to the power distribution company.
“Despite sending several reminders there was no response from the authorities concerned. But they expect quality power to be supplied,’’ a CPDCL official said.
The arrears of various departments have been affecting the financial position of the power distribution company. To top it, the officials were worried about the mismatch between demand and supply of power in the summer months.
“Since they are government departments we cannot do anything but going soft on them,’’ an official said.
–Agenccies