Bhubaneswar: Electricity consumers in Odisha owe a total of Rs 7,175.41 crore as arrears electricity dues to power distribution companies (discoms) in Odisha.
This was revealed in the information shared by Minister of State (MoS) for Energy Dibya Shankar Mishra in a written reply to a question by BJP MLA from Loisingha Mukesh Mahaling.
As per statistics shared by the Minister while domestic consumers owe the maximum amount-Rs 6,760.91 crore, large industries owe Rs 365.66 crore, medium industries owe Rs 33.06 crore, and small industries owe Rs 15.78 crore as arrear electricity dues to discoms.
Here’s the district-wise break-up of electricity dues arrear owed by small industries and domestic consumers to discoms shared by the Minister:
Here’s the list of large industries power connection to which has been disconnected for non-payment of arrear electricity dues:
The Minister informed that as per the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) Rules, 2003 electricity tariff for different categories of consumers is fixed following public hearings.
Outstanding electricity dues of discoms are not taken into account while fixing electricity tariffs, which apart OERC gives top priority to the interest of general consumers, the Minister clarified.