"The government has decided to install prepaid energy meters at all government establishments in district and block levels by March 31, 2013 and will not be responsible for any electricity dues thereafter," the department directive said in its reminder.
"You are once again requested to ensure installations of pre-paid meters in departments under your administrative control," it said.
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The measure to install pre-paid meters at government offices was mulled earlier this year after high court in March, 2012 said, if the government did not clear its pending dues for 2011-12 within one month then the power distributing companies (discoms) are at liberty to snap electric connections.
The court order came while disposing off a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to tariff hike. In the case, the petitioner had complained that large pending dues of government departments are also factored into while calculating tariff of electric units.
Data available with Central Service Office (CSO), the umbrella organization of three distribution firms owned by Reliance Infrastructure, reveals that as on March 31, 2012 , the government departments owed Rs 121.86 crore including delayed payment surcharge, while the electricity dues outstanding on Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC) was Rs 25.09 crore. In addition, the government departments and OLIC have to pay Rs 52.75 crore and Rs 11 crore respectively to Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU).
As per latest data, the Reliance Infra companies owe Rs 2,650 crore to Gridco for power purchase and bond dues. Similarly, Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) - managed CESU, the biggest discom in the state, has to pay Rs 2,346 crore for various dues.