Srinagar, Sep 28: Government and semi-government departments are the biggest category of electricity defaulters in Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for Rs 3,155.69 crore, or nearly 46 per cent, of the total Rs 6,870.15 crore in unpaid electricity bills recoverable from commercial, industrial, government and security-force consumers.
The figures have been disclosed by the Power Development Department (PDD) in a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Hasnain Masoodi in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly regarding the recovery of unpaid electricity arrears.
According to the category-wise breakup provided by the government, commercial consumers owe Rs 1,833.60 crore, while industrial consumers have outstanding dues of Rs 1,005.89 crore.
Government and semi-government departments have the highest outstanding amount at Rs 3,155.69 crore, while security forces and installations owe Rs 874.97 crore.
The combined outstanding recoverable dues across all four categories stand at Rs 6,870.15 crore.
On the steps being taken to recover the arrears and the number of connections disconnected in pursuit of recovery, the government said DISCOMs have undertaken sustained measures through systematic monitoring of outstanding electricity dues, issuance of demand and payment notices to defaulting consumers, regular follow-ups for recovery of outstanding dues and enforcement of disconnection of supply in cases of persistent default, in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and prescribed procedures.
The government said disconnection of electricity supply for non-payment of dues is an ongoing enforcement measure undertaken by the concerned field formations wherever warranted, after following the prescribed procedure.
Supply is restored to consumers upon payment of the requisite outstanding dues and completion of the prescribed reconnection formalities, the reply stated.
The PDD also provided category-wise figures for electricity connections disconnected during the previous and current financial years.
During FY 2025-26, a total of 88,387 connections were disconnected across the categories listed in the reply. Of these, 84,818 were commercial connections, 3,167 were industrial connections and 402 belonged to government/semi-government departments.
During FY 2026-27, 50,226 connections have been disconnected so far. These include 48,283 commercial connections, 1,836 industrial connections and 107 government/semi-government connections.
Thus, 1,38,613 connections across these categories were disconnected during FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 so far.
Asked whether the government intends to intensify recovery of unpaid electricity bills from commercial and industrial establishments and other consumers defaulting on payments to augment revenue, the government replied in the affirmative.
It said DISCOMs are continuously strengthening their revenue-recovery mechanism, with particular focus on commercial, industrial and other high-value/defaulting consumers.
The government listed four measures being undertaken for this purpose: circle-wise special recovery drives against high-value defaulters; regular monitoring of arrears through MIS/billing software and fixing of recovery targets for field officers; strict enforcement of disconnection and reconnection policy against non-paying consumers; and use of legal remedies, including recovery as arrears of land revenue against habitual defaulters.
The government was also asked whether it was considering introducing an amnesty scheme for waiver of electricity bill arrears in respect of BPL consumers.
The PDD categorically stated that there was no such proposal under consideration of the government.
