Power discoms, SEBs owe Railways more than Rs 1,038 cr

The outstanding dues owed by state electricity boards and power discoms to railways is Rs 1,038.66 crore as on October 31, the government said today.
This information was given in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Railway Manoj Sinha.
Punjab State Electricity Board owes railways maximum dues of Rs 448.40 crore followed by National Thermal Power Corporation with Rs 163.17 crore dues, Maharashtra State Electricity Board with Rs 123.05 crore and Delhi Vidyut Board with Rs 114.30 crore dues.
Sinha said non-recovery of dues adversely impact the gross traffic receipts and thereby affect generation of surplus for appropriation to Development Fund and Capital Fund, which support plan expenditure of railways.

He further said steps are being taken to expedite realization of outstanding dues like pre-payment of freight has been made compulsory for coal booking for all Power Houses and state electricity boards.
Launching of special drives for clearance of outstanding dues by forming teams of Accounts and Commercial officials from time to time is also done, the Minister added.