J&K Departments Among Top 100 Power Defaulters, Owe ₹1,000 Crore
In a startling revelation, the Jammu and Kashmir government disclosed that government departments, public sector units, and private entities are among the top 100 electricity defaulters, collectively owing a staggering ₹1,000 crore in arrears. The announcement came in response to a question raised by Langate Awami Ittehad Party MLA Sheikh Khursheed during an Assembly session in Jammu.
Top Defaulters Revealed
The list of defaulters includes prominent names such as:
- Baba Jangi (Ganderbal Circle): ₹63.78 crore
- Salal Hydroelectric Project (NHPC): ₹56.96 crore
- Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Sopore: ₹45.84 crore
- J&K Minerals Limited: ₹42.43 crore
- Rajpora Lift Irrigation AWP Stages 1 & 2: ₹39.83 crore
- Surya Pharmaceuticals: ₹35.83 crore
- Kalakote Thermal Power Plant (Defunct): ₹30 crore
These entities, along with others, have contributed to the mounting arrears, raising concerns about fiscal discipline and accountability.
Challenges in Recovering Dues
Chief Engineer KK Thapa of the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) outlined the challenges in recovering the outstanding dues. While the government has introduced amnesty schemes to waive interest and allow installment payments, recovery remains slow. For instance:
- Jammu region had arrears of ₹1,530 crore over two years, but only ₹156 crore was recovered.
- Government departments, being major defaulters, cannot have their power supply disconnected without affecting public services.
Thapa admitted that snapping power supply to entities like the PHE (Jal Shakti) Department would disrupt essential services, making recovery efforts more complex.
Public Frustration Over Inflated Bills
Residents of Jammu and Kashmir have expressed frustration over inflated power bills, which they claim disproportionately target common people while large defaulters remain unpunished. Raman Sharma, a Jammu-based RTI activist, criticized the government for failing to address the arrears of major defaulters. “The government should first set its house in order and get hold of the big fish before harassing people,” he said.
Power Pilferage and Defunct Units
Power pilferage remains rampant in the region, with old, defunct factories still accruing dues. Thapa noted that pending arrears attract interest, causing bills to swell over time. Despite these challenges, most domestic consumers reportedly pay their dues, reflecting a degree of fiscal discipline among the general public.
The Way Forward
The government faces mounting pressure to address the power sector’s inefficiencies. Activists and residents alike are calling for:
- Stricter measures against major defaulters.
- Relief policies for common consumers, such as rebates on inflated bills.
- Transparent reforms to ensure accountability and fairness in the power sector.
As the Omar Abdullah government promises reforms, the spotlight remains on how effectively these measures will address the growing arrears and restore public trust.
