Smart meter users on prepaid system must clear arrears or risk disconnection
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Corporation has intensified efforts to recover long-standing electricity dues from consumers.
Under the ongoing Amnesty Scheme, consumers have been given a final opportunity to clear their arrears in installments, with a deadline set for March 2026.
However, the administration has now adopted a stricter stance—failure to deposit even a single installment can result in the disconnection of electricity supply, even if the consumer is paying their current bills on time.
The government has made it clear that this extension of the Amnesty Scheme is the last chance for consumers to get rid of the accumulated arrears that stretch back years.
In order to enforce this, the Electricity Corporation has been directed to submit a monthly report listing defaulters—those who have failed to pay their installment dues under the scheme.
The administration is emphasizing timely revenue collection, moving away from the earlier practice of reviewing electricity dues only at the end of the financial year. Instead, billing and recovery processes will now be assessed every month.
Officers and employees of the Electricity Corporation have been warned that negligence in revenue recovery will lead to departmental action.
The Power Development Department has already transitioned consumers using smart meters to a prepaid system. As a result, these consumers must ensure monthly payments to continue receiving an uninterrupted electricity supply.
Additionally, they are required to regularly pay the arrears covered under the Amnesty Scheme in installments. Failure to do so may invite penal action, including disconnection of service.
A spokesperson from the Electricity Corporation revealed that despite the government spending nearly Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 crore annually on electricity purchases, revenue recovery continues to fall short of expectations. This is further compounded by arrears that have now exceeded Rs 400 crore, creating a significant financial burden on the administration.
In light of this, all division in-charges across Jammu and Kashmir have been instructed to prioritize revenue collection alongside efforts to curb power theft. Officers have been tasked with conducting surprise inspections of overloaded feeders and areas with smart meters—both during the day and at night. They are also required to consistently review and monitor the list of defaulters every month.
The message is clear as the administration is no longer willing to tolerate non-payment. With scorching heat increasing the demand for electricity, consumers are urged to clear their dues and avoid power disconnections.
The current amnesty period represents the final opportunity for consumers to avoid severe penalties and restore their compliance with the state’s electricity regulations.
