Aurangabad, Nov 18:
As many as 19,12,892 low tension (LT) consumers of the Maharashtra Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) in eight districts of the division have not paid their electricity bills since April. Thus the amount of the pending bills has climbed up to Rs 13,565 crore.
Many consumers delayed the bill payments in the hope of getting relief from increased bills. This resulted in increase in the pending dues. MSEDCL supplies power to consumers by purchasing power from private power generation companies, hydropower stations and other places. Electricity is supplied by Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company from the power generation site to the MSEDCL substation. MSEDCL has to pay for the purchase and transmission of electricity. However, if the electricity bills are not paid every month, it becomes difficult for the MSEDCL to purchase, maintain, repair infrastructure, manage costs and ensure uninterrupted power supply. As a result, MSEDCL is now facing financial problems. The company has appealed to the consumers to pay the arrears along with their current electricity bills.