Chhattisgarh initiates action to recover electricity dues from industries

Chhattisgarh government had started the initiatives to recover Rs 374.75 crore as against the electricity dues on a large number of consumers, mostly industrial facilities in the state. The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo in the Question Hour on Monday.

He asked about the state government's action on the consumers against whom electricity dues were pending. Singhdeo also asked to name the first 10 consumers in order of amount dues on them.

In a written reply, Chief Minister Raman Singh said as on June 23, 2014, 4024 consumers have been identified against whom recovery of Rs 374.75 crore was pending. Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) has been the first in the list with an amount of Rs 114.34 crore due in the energy department against the company, Singh said.

Besides Rs 114.34 crore, the Jindal Power Limited is due to clear Rs 8.92 crore and JSPL Raigarh Rs 41.59 crore.

A JSPL official clarified that the dues mentioned in the list was not accurate and the company had deposited Rs 20 crore with the department. The other prominent companies figuring in the list include Monnet Ispat and Power Limited (Rs 51.73 crore and Rs 41.03 crore), Vandana Vidyut Limited (Rs 41.84 crore), Rajinder Steels (Rs 13.73 crore), Century Cement Limited (Rs 13.46 crore), Ind Synergy (Rs 8.36 crore) and Jaiswal Neco Limited (Rs 7.18 crore).

The Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of energy department, said the state government had issued revenue recovery certificate (RCC) to recover the dues.