It is a surprise that various departments, industries and high-profile citizens continue to be defaulters of electricity dues and still get the luxury of having their supply intact for years. While an ordinary citizen gets an instant disconnection notice after a default in payment for two or three months, data suggests that some industrial units, high-profile politicians and government offices get away with dues for years.
As per recent government records, several of its offices, including some of PWD offices, are among the 15,845 electricity dues defaulters, the amount of which runs into crores of rupees. Data reveals that Mahiti Ghar at Patto has arrears of Rs 3,76,146, the PWD office at Junta House Rs 3,29,229, Traffic Island at Patto KTC stand Rs 5,34,170, Sports Complex Miramar Rs 1,60,418, Goa Human Rights Commission Rs 1,40, 913, Pharmacy College in Panaji Rs 3,40,834, and the list runs long, and it runs across years. In 2019, there was a similar situation that various government departments owed the Electricity department around Rs 145 crore out of the Rs 350 crore dues shown as outstanding. The then-power minister Nilesh Cabral disconnected supply to the Panaji municipal market over non-payment of Rs 5 crore dues pending since 2003. At least Cabral showed bravado by suggesting government agencies should not be spared. The question is over the tolerance towards defaulters, especially those on the red list, for years.
The department has repeatedly been launching the One Time Settlement Scheme, which offers a waiver of ‘delay payment charges’ and interest on the outstanding amount, hoping that at least a part of the net arrears will be recovered. However, in the process, the interests of ‘big fish’ are being served since they are more prominent beneficiaries of the waiver because the waiver amount is higher. The OTS has turned out to be a window of opportunity for the ‘big’ defaulters, and the department has been facilitating it for successive years, mindful that it needs money. If cut short, the extended credit period would mean that there would be fewer headaches of recoveries, and the department would have more spending power.
While successive power ministers have spoken their minds on power thefts causing massive losses to the department to a point where ‘smart meters’ are being introduced, the arrears that run in some crores of rupees appear to be telling a different story. The power scenario is evolving in the State. With an increase in consumption and demand, the Electricity Department must up its game by constantly investing in infrastructure upgrades and buying equipment to keep up with the changing times. The industrial sector has been continually complaining of heavy power cuts affecting production, leave alone the common man’s cries. This has to change at some point.
The department should look inward and salvage itself by tightening recoveries. There can’t be separate yardsticks for everyday citizens, politicians, corporates and government agencies. A ‘one rule for all’ policy will go a long way if the electricity department has to exit the rut in which it finds itself.
