MARGAO
With electricity arrears in the jurisdiction of South Goa district pegged at a whopping Rs 5 crore, senior Power officials have made a fervent plea to the consumers to avail benefits of the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme.
Superintending Engineer, Rajiv Samant told the media that the department has compiled a list of around 20,000 defaulters, who have defaulted in the payment of dues, to the tune of Rs 5 crore. He said the defaulters get the opportunity for waiver of their interest component if they pay the principal amount and too installments.
Samant, however, has warned the defaulters that the department will continue the drive to disconnect the power supply to the households and establishments which have defaulted in clearing the dues.
“As per the rules in force, a consumer is liable for action if he does not clear the bills and arrears after 15 days. Presently, the department has undertaken a drive to disconnect power supply to the households and establishments, which have defaulted in the payment of dues,” he said.
Samant pointed out that those who want to avail the OTS scheme should contact the sub-division officer, by making an application by attaching the power bills or consumer bill number.
“The OTS scheme has been launched by the government for those consumers who have not paid the power dues for whatever reasons. They now get the opportunity to clear the dues under the OTS scheme. Under the scheme, the consumers are given various options. If the consumer pays the principal amount, the delayed charges will get waived,” he said.
He added: “The consumers can also opt for the option to clear the dues in monthly installments, depending whether the consumer is domestic or commercial.”
In cases which have been forwarded to the Mamlatdars for recovery of the power dues, Samant said the defaulters can avail the benefit of waiver of delayed charges if he clears the principal amount.
