The Jammu and Kashmir administration has reported a significant accumulation of unpaid electricity bills, totaling Rs 3,747.35 crore across various government departments, security forces, and public sector undertakings. This substantial outstanding amount highlights a persistent challenge in revenue collection for the power sector within the Union Territory.
The Chenab Times has learned that the figures were officially presented in the Legislative Assembly. The dues are divided between the two major power distribution corporations: Rs 2,310.22 crore under the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Rs 1,437.13 crore under the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL).
Disclosing details in response to a starred assembly question, the government stated that the power distribution companies are actively engaged in pursuing the recovery of these arrears from the defaulting entities. The focus of these outstanding dues is primarily on departments involved in essential services and security infrastructure.
Among the civilian government departments, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has amassed the largest liability, with dues amounting to Rs 1,300.43 crore. Following closely is the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which owes Rs 580.60 crore. The Housing and Urban Development Department also features prominently with outstanding dues of Rs 144.49 crore. Collectively, municipal bodies across Jammu and Kashmir have accumulated arrears totaling Rs 241.64 crore.
Even the Power Development Department (PDD) itself is among the defaulters, with its own dues reaching Rs 107.56 crore, and its corporation wing contributing an additional Rs 22.77 crore. The Home Department, which oversees the Jammu and Kashmir Police, has an outstanding amount of Rs 223.06 crore.
In the social sectors, the Health and Medical Education Department has accumulated power dues of Rs 182.34 crore, while the Education Department owes Rs 28.66 crore. The Irrigation Department alone has pending liabilities of Rs 580 crore.
Security and central government establishments also represent a considerable portion of the unpaid bills. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is listed with dues of Rs 296.38 crore, the Army with Rs 197.20 crore, and the Border Security Force (BSF) with Rs 11.76 crore. Other central agencies with outstanding payments include Prasar Bharati Corporation (Rs 4.61 crore), the Post and Telegraph Department (Rs 6.27 crore), and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) (over Rs 0.51 crore).
Public sector undertakings are also part of the list, with JK Cements having dues of Rs 54.01 crore. Various development authorities, such as the Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) and the Jammu Development Authority (JDA/UDA), also have outstanding payments. The Tourism Department owes Rs 28.73 crore, and the Forest Department has dues of Rs 9.99 crore.
The government has indicated that recovery efforts are underway through inter-departmental coordination. However, the official response did not detail any specific coercive or punitive measures being implemented to address the mounting arrears from these significant government and security-related entities.
The Chenab Times News Desk