Want govt job? Pay for power on time

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17

The Haryana Government has decided in principle to make regular payment of electricity bills mandatory for applying for government jobs, issuance and renewal of arms licence, purchase of plots and passing of blueprint and construction of building at plots measuring 250 sq yards and more in sectors of the Haryana Urban Development Authority and Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the power utilities held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary DS Dhesi here today.

It was informed in the meeting that 1.10 lakh consumers had paid outstanding bills to the tune of about Rs 400 crore under the Surcharge Waiver Scheme till December 31, 2016. The scheme was introduced on November 20, 2016. In view of the overwhelming response received from the consumers, the scheme has been extended till January 31.

It may be recalled that the state government had made the condition of payment of power bills mandatory for contesting elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Urban Local Bodies. The Supreme Court had later given its stamp of approval for the decision. As a result, the power utilities had recovered more than Rs 50 crore.