Pune: 5.86 Lakh Customers Have Not Paid Their Electricity Bills Since April; MSEDCL Appeals People To Clear Dues Of Rs 576 Crores

Pune, January 08, 2021: The financial position of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL, which provides electricity services to all sectors, has deteriorated due to rising electricity bills. In order to manage the financial condition of MSEDCL in this very difficult situation and to avoid a possible breakdown in the power sector of the state, the consumers have to pay the current and overdue electricity bills, MSEDCL appealed.

“As many as 5 lakh 86 thousand domestic, commercial and industrial consumers in the district have not paid a single month’s electricity bill since last April. At present, all these customers have arrears of Rs 576.91 crore. At present, 13 lakh 80 thousand domestic, commercial and industrial customers in the district have to pay dues of Rs 1072 crore 55 lakhs”, MSEDCL stated in a press release.

MSEDCL’s financial crisis also began after the coronavirus crisis began in March 2020. The meter reading could not be taken due to lockdown. During ‘Unlock’, average electricity bill was properly corrected.

“Electricity experts have also stated that the electricity bills issued after ‘unlock’ are accurate. However, since last April, 5 lakh 86 thousand household, commercial and industrial consumers in the district have not paid any electricity bill till November. As a result, the arrears have increased by Rs 576.91 crore”, MSEDCL stated.

The number of arrears (arrears in brackets) is as follows – Pune city – 2 lakh 24 thousand 127 (Rs 244 crore), Pimpri and Chinchwad city – 79 thousand 115 (Rs 102 crore) as well as in rural Mulshi, Velhe, Maval, Khed, Junnar, Haveli, Ambegaon, there are 2 lakh 82 thousand 763 (Rs 230 crore 89 lakh) consumers in Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Shirur, Bhor and Purandar talukas.

From March to October in Pune district, the number of arrears in domestic, commercial and industrial categories has increased by 5 lakh 72 thousand. As a result, arrears have also increased by Rs 644.37 crore. However, since October, there has been a good response to pay the arrears with electricity bills.

“Despite the increase in arrears, 39,000 arrears in Pune district have been paid in November. At present, 13 lakh 80 thousand 300 domestic, commercial and industrial customers in the district are in arrears of Rs 1072 crore 55 lakhs. MSEDCL is requesting these customers to cooperate by paying the outstanding and current electricity bills through direct contact and communication with the arrears”, the public electricity company appealed.

“MSEDCL has the largest number of consumers in the country at around 53 crore. MSEDCL is the first electricity distribution company in the country to start paying electricity bills like photometer readings. However, against the backdrop of increasing arrears, MSEDCL is in dire need of the cooperation of powecroressumers to balance the procurement of electricity. Therefore, MSEDCL is making a heartfelt appeal to pay outstanding and current electricity bills. In this serious financial crisis of MSEDCL, the consumers should cooperate by paying the arrears and current electricity bills”, appealed Pune Regional Director (Q) Ankush Nala.

All electricity bill payment centres are operational in Pune district. Apart from this, all electricity consumers in the low-pressure category have the facility to pay their electricity bills at home through MSEDCL’s website www.mahadiscom.in, mobile app or other ‘online’ options. In addition, if there is any doubt about the electricity bill in ‘Lockdown’, its verification or details are available at https://billcal.mahadiscom.in/consumerbill/.