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Over 16,000 Pune electricity consumers lose power over unsettled bills

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has initiated a targeted effort to disconnect power supply for customers failing to settle their long-overdue electricity bills. The drive is in addition to the regular actions taken by the power utility against defaulting consumers.

A staggering number of 16,413 customers in Pune circle, comprising both commercial and industrial entities, have experienced power cut-offs due to non-payment of their electricity bills for a three-month span. The power utility is currently in the process of disconnecting electricity for an additional 71,098 consumers who have not cleared their arrears.

The MSEDCL has drawn up a list of defaulting households, commercial establishments, and industries in the Pune Circle that haven't paid their electricity bills for three months. The list features 87,511 consumers with arrears exceeding Rs 500, amounting to a total debt of Rs 42.63 crore.

Within Pune city, 26,796 households and business consumers have failed to pay their electricity bills for the same period, contributing to arrears of Rs 11.81 crore. Power supply to 6,536 of these customers has been cut off, while the remaining defaulters have been issued stern warnings to pay the outstanding amount.

Meanwhile, in the adjoining township of Pimpri Chinchwad, a total of 16,300 consumers have defaulted on payments amounting to Rs 10.91 crore over the last three months. Among them, electricity supply to 3,209 consumers has been disconnected.

In rural areas of Pune district, such as Ambegaon, Junnar, Maval, Khed, Mulshi, Velhe, and Haveli talukas, there are 44,415 domestic and business consumers with unpaid bills totalling Rs 19.91 crore. The electricity supply to 6,669 of these customers has been suspended.

The power utility has issued warnings to defaulting consumers, stating that strict action will be taken against those resorting to unauthorized power sourcing from neighbours or other locations via cables or wires. The MSEDCL has clarified that it will execute its actions under section 135/138 of the Indian Electricity Act 2003.

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