2.81 lakh power consumers availed of amnesty scheme: J&K Govt

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said that a total of 2.81 lakh domestic consumers have benefited from the Power Development Department’s (PDD) amnesty scheme over the past three years.

Responding to a question raised by Congress legislator Tariq Hameed Karra in the J&K Assembly regarding the outcome of the scheme for domestic consumers, the department informed that from September 12, 2022, to March 31, 2025, a total of 2,81,966 consumers availed its benefits.

Of these, 1,64,729 consumers were from areas under the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), while 1,17,237 consumers were from areas under the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).

The department further informed that under the second ongoing amnesty scheme, which commenced on August 4 this year, 547 consumers have so far availed benefits under JPDCL, and 18,307 consumers under KPDCL.

During the first amnesty scheme, JPDCL realised a revenue of Rs 164 crore, while KPDCL realised Rs 158 crore. From the ongoing second scheme, JPDCL has collected Rs 1 crore, whereas KPDCL has realised Rs 15 crore.

The department clarified that the first amnesty scheme for domestic consumers provided a waiver of accumulated interest up to March 31, 2022, while the second scheme provides a waiver of interest accumulated up to March 31, 2025. However, in both schemes, the principal amount remains payable by the consumer, as it is not waived off.

In response to another question about reports that some consumers who availed the amnesty scheme were asked to pay Rs 5,000 for restoration of their electricity connection — but later found the outstanding amount carried forward in subsequent bills — the department clarified that amnesty benefits and disconnection of power supply are two separate issues.

“Very rarely, the distribution companies temporarily disconnect electricity connections in accordance with the JERC Electricity Supply Code, 2023, and only in cases where consumers have large outstanding arrears. However, connections are restored immediately upon partial payment, and any unpaid balance of the principal amount is reflected in future bills,” the department stated in its reply.