Disputed decline in power dues

In a significant trend change, power generating companies in India saw a decline in overdues at the end of March 2021. The amount of money that remained outstanding after 45-to-60 days of grace period given to the distribution companies fell to about Rs 67,300 crore, over 20 per cent lower than what it was a month ago. The data covered only the operations of power generating units owned or controlled by the Centre and privately-owned independent power producers, accounting for almost three-fourths of the country’s total power generation.

In March 2020, their overdues were estimated at Rs 68,525 crore and had