SRINAGAR, Jan 10: Mussarat Islam, the managing director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), urged customers today to pay off any outstanding electricity bills. If they don’t, KPDCL will be forced to accelerate its disconnection drives as required by Section 56 of the Electricity Act. He added that if smart metre customers do not pay their outstanding power bills, they will be automatically disconnected.The MD expressed grave concern about the high default rates in the residential, business, and industrial categories and said that the money collected from the settlement of outstanding bills will allow KPDCL to have sufficient resources available for the purchase of electricity, which is essential for ensuring a steady supply. The MD added that high default rates are negatively affecting the Corporation’s financial stability since they will affect the flow of funds under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), which aims to modernise the LT Distribution Network in Kashmir Division.The MD further said that, in light of the imperative for realisation of arrears, KPDCL has issued instructions to all 19 Electric Divisions to further expedite the disconnection drives of defaulter consumers who are unwilling to pay their energy dues on time. KPDCL is requesting the cooperation of all consumers in clearing dues.
