Wesco to start disconnection drive from Feb 18

Sambalpur: The Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Limited (WESCO) announced that that it would start disconnecting power supply to defaulters from February 18 in phases. Around Rs 2,117 crore arrear are pending with domestic and commercial consumers. Also, an arrear of Rs 406 crore is pending with industrial consumers.
Addressing the media, authorised officer of WESCO Tapas Pattanaik said WESCO is committed to provide quality service. “However, finance has emerged as a major constraint for the power supply company in providing quality service to its consumers. The arrears on consumers has become a burden. If the amount is not collected, then WESCO will face difficulties in operating. And hence, we are forced to disconnect power supply to consumers, who are not paying their pending arrear bill despite several notices,” he said.
According to officials of WESCO, there are 17,70,211 domestic consumers in nine districts under WESCO. Altogether 10,80,933 consumers have not paid their arrear electricity bill amounting to Rs 1,984. 45 crores. Similarly, there are 81,125 commercial consumers in nine districts under WESCO.
Around 46,093 commercial consumers have pending bills amounting to Rs 132.65 crore. Moreover, there are 920 high tension (HT) industrial consumers and of the total 148 consumers have pending electricity bills. This apart, of the total 34 extra high tension (EHT) industrial consumer, three industrial houses have pending bills. Moreover, Rs 61 crore arrear is pending with government offices.
Pattanaik said, “We have already served notices on defaulting consumers and asked them to pay arrears by February 17. We are also urging consumers to contact the sub-divisional officers (SDO) of their concerned areas if they want to pay the pending arrear phase wise or who have grievances regarding bill,” he said.