Punjab, Haryana and UP power utilities default on payment

25 October, 2012

Power utilities are not paying payments for power overdrawn by them to meet power shortages in their states. The Northern regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC) has reported that a sum of Rs. 282.63 crore and Rs. 243.83 crore including surcharge is outstanding against Punjab and Haryana respectively towards unscheduled interchange payments as on August 31this year. The defaulting amount of Uttar Pardesh power utility is Rs. 2561 crore.

THE CENTRAL Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has directed the Punjab and Haryana to liquidate all their dues by October 31. In case of non-compliance action will be taken against these states as per provisions of unscheduled interchange (UI) regulations.

As per provisions of UI regulations payment of UI charges should be accorded highest priority and should be cleared within 10 days from the date of issue of UI account. If payment is delayed beyond 12 days state is liable to pay interest of 0.04% per day. Punjab and Haryana have failed to comply with these instructions.

The Chairman and Managing Director of Punjab State Electricity Transmission Corporation and Haryana Vidhyut Parsaran Nigam have been directed personally to ensure liquidation of arrears by month end.

The states have been asked to file their replies by November 11 and the matter has been listed for further directions on November 20, 2012.