DHBVN to recover Rs 460 crore in power dues in Faridabad

The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) is yet to recover bill dues amounting to around Rs 460 crore from the defaulting consumers in the Faridabad circle. Reportedly, a drive to disconnect the connections of the defaulters is expected only after the conclusion of the Assembly polls process.

With the outstanding power bills in the circle rising to around Rs 460 crore against around 1.28 lakh consumers, the department's drive to recover the pending bills by offering waiver or rebate schemes in the past few years has elicited a poor response so far, according to sources in the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN). As many as 75,828 defaulters are from urban areas, according to department sources.

As many as 54,669 connections have already been disconnected.

A total of 923 government departments’ consumers also owe a bill to the tune of Rs. 18.68 crore. These include the FMDA, HSVP, HSIIDC, district administration office, district judicial complex, police, health, tourism and the Faridabad Smart City Limited, among others. Though supplies to a large number of consumers have been disconnected, they have failed to clear the dues of Rs 319.77 crore till date, the sources added. The dues of connected consumers stand at Rs 140.38 crore, according to the sources.

Litigation, untraced connections and change of address by consumers had led to the development of such a crisis, when power supply to such consumers was still on, said an official on condition of anonymity. Supply to the majority of the government departments could not be disconnected in view of the urgency of the facilitation of basic amenities and the involvement of the public utilities or services. The circle has around 6.75 lakh connections at present.

Jitender Dhull, Superintending Engineer, DHBVN, said a drive to recover the dues was proposed to be launched soon after the conclusion of the election process. He said supply to the defaulters would be disconnected if they failed to clear the dues of over Rs 10,000.