Discoms to waive surcharge on pending power bills of government bodies

Tirupati: The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has decided to waive surcharge on outstanding power bills as a one-time favour to all government departments and local bodies.

Various government bodies and departments owe Rs 9,249 crore to the three power distribution companies – Eastern, Central and Southern Discoms – towards electricity consumption charges. This was revealed in a letter written by APERC to the chairmen and MDs of APSPDCL, APEPDCL and APCPDCL, on July 8.

As per the letter, the SPDCL has submitted a representation it received from the Commissioner of Pulivendula Municipality for the commission’s approval to waive the surcharge amount of Rs 6.66 crore on a one-time settlement basis.

This would enable the civic body to pay the principal amount of the current consumption arrears at an early date, it was promised.

The APERC thereon reviewed the total dues to three Discoms from various government entities as on March 31, 2022. It found that total arrears was Rs 9,249 crore. Despite correspondence by the APERC with the government, and the Discoms approaching the department heads repeatedly, the dues remained so. The scenario worsened over time.

The commission felt that if the Discoms received at least the principal amounts, their liquidity position would improve and they would be able to provide better service to the consumers. The APERC therefore decided to offer a one-time waiver.

APSPDCL CMD Haranatha Rao said in a statement on Friday that all these entities can pay their electricity dues without any surcharges through a one-time settlement. This is subject to a condition that the arrears shall be paid in full on or before September 9, 2022.