'Clear outstanding electricity bill dues by Feb'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2024:
The Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has appealed to all the HT consumers, Government consumers and LT Postpaid consumers to clear their outstanding electricity bill dues by February 2024 otherwise their electricity connections are liable to be disconnected without any further notice.
According to a release issued by H Shantikumar Singh, Managing Director MSPDCL, the company in its efforts to provide reliable 24x7 power supply to the consumers, requires to achieve regular revenue realisation to suffice procurement of necessary power.
"However, in the recent time revenue collection has gone down and it is not in consonance with the energy utilised.
Unauthorised/illegal use of electricity through meter by-passing, hooking, meter tampering and unauthorised connection etc is highly suspected.
In this scenario, it is getting difficult for MSPDCL to maintain regular supply during peak hours", it added.
Highlighting that the company is facing considerable revenue loss due to illegal use of electricity, MSPDCL stated that it is obliged to pay huge costs to Power Generation companies for power purchase and in the event of failure to pay on time, Power regulations (disconnections) from the generating companies are imminent and subsequently MSPDCL will fail to provide 24x7 uninterrupted power supply across the state of Manipur.
MSPDCL also cautioned that consumers who are found indulging in theft of electricity by means of bypassing prepaid energy meters, tapping of electricity without proper consent (paper-work) etc shall be subjected to stringent legal action as per the Electricity Act, 2003 .
"As per the Electricity Act, 2003, illegal usage of electricity is a cognizable offence and the offender is punishable with imprisonment for a term up to three years or with fine or both.
Further, disconnection of power with no provision for reconnection in future may also be imposed", it added.
MSPDCL further appealed to all esteemed consumers to extend their cooperation with the activities being undertaken to serve the public with reliable power supply.