The Haryana government has decided to make regular payment of electricity bills mandatory to apply for government jobs, issuance and renewal of arms licence, purchase of plots and passing of blueprint and construction of building at plots.
The decision was taken in a meeting of power utilities held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary D.S. Dhesi here on Tuesday.
A state government spokesman here said: "Over one lakh (1.10 lakh) consumers had paid outstanding bills to the tune of about Rs 400 crore under the Surcharge Waiver Scheme till December 31, 2016."
"This Surcharge Waiver Scheme was introduced on November 20,2016. In view of the overwhelming response received from the consumers, the scheme has been extended till January 31, 2017," the statement said.
The condition of payment of bills will also apply in case of getting construction plans passed for plots measuring 250 sq. yards and more in sectors of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).
Haryana has already made the condition of payment of power bills mandatory for contesting elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies.
"The Supreme Court had later given its stamp of approval for the decision. As a result, the power utilities had recovered more than Rs 50 crore," the spokesman added.
Many consumers in Haryana are notorious for not paying electricity bills despite using power.
--IANS
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