Farmers Movement Archive

Uttar Pradesh: OTS plan rolls out for power defaulters

LUCKNOW: Months ahead of assembly elections, the UP government on Wednesday announced a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for power defaulters, entailing up to 100% waiver on surcharge and a window to pay arrears in easy instalments. The scheme will be applicable between October 21 (Thursday) and November 30. State power minister Srikant Sharma said, the scheme would help farmers and small consumers with an electricity load of up to 2 KW. Consumers will be given a chance to pay pending arrears in six instalments and those with power load between 2KW and 5 KW will be given a 50% waiver on surcharge. The scheme will also be applicable to consumers whose power supply has been permanently snapped or those embroiled in legal disputes. The sop, sources said, is ostensibly aimed to provide relief to small commercial establishments, who were financially affected after economic activity slumped in the aftermath of the pandemic-triggered lockdown. The move comes days after chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed authorities not to snap power supply to farmers defaulting on payment of electricity bills. During a recent review meeting, Yogi is learnt to have been apprised by some BJP MPs and MLAs on problems faced by farmers and rural consumers in wake of power outages, mainly because of poor distribution network. The sop attains significance, especially in agriculturally rich and politically restive west UP, which has been witnessing farmers’ stir against the new farm laws. The move is also seen as a counter to Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party promise of providing cheap or even free electricity if voted to power. As per UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), a consumer can avail benefits of the scheme online at the office of respective executive engineers or sub-divisional officers. In rural areas, consumers will receive the service at Common Service Centres (CSC), established by ministry of electronics and IT. The facility will also be available at UP energy website, www.upenergy.in. UPPCL chairman M Devraj said, officials of all distribution companies have been instructed to launch special campaigns, drives and hold camps to ensure maximum number of consumers receive benefits of the scheme. He said discoms will review the progress on a daily basis. Plea to scrap duty for year for non-defaulters Praising chief minister Yogi Adityanath and energy minister Srikant Sharma for implementing OTS scheme, UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhogta Parishad reiterated its demand for waiving one-year electricity duty for consumers, who pay bills on time. The cess is 5 to 7.5% of the bill, depending on category of consumers and is charged by the state government. Parishad chairman, AK Verma said, the measure will send a "good message and boost the morale" of consumers who have never defaulted on payment.

The Times of India

2021-10-21

Lucknow