OdishaPlus Bureau
The monthly revenue collection of Central Electricity Supply Undertaking (CESU) is fast falling down due to the lockdown-regulation causing worries for the DISCOM.
According to sources, though CESU is encouraging people to make payment of dues digitally, the collection at the counters are minimal due to the social distancing norms.The monthly collection of CESU is around Rs 255 crore.
Sources said, CESU which is supplying uninterrupted power supply to its consumers, is worried about the falling collection of revenue as it will pose serious problems for the power distribution company in the State.
As lockdown continues, employees of CESU are working 24×7 to cater to the demand of the consumers staying in their homes.
Although the DISCOM has developed CESU Connect for seamless digital payment, provided quick-link through SMS Service to consumers for making payments through net banking, Paytm, credit card, debit card, etc, the revenue collection is hovering around Rs.100 crore only.
The spending of the DISCOM was over Rs.260 crore and CESU was facing a shortfall of Rs.5 crore per month. During April, power consumption has gone up in the domestic sector as Meter Readers are not visiting homes and the consumers have been asked to pay at the level of last month’s bill. According to officials, it will be very difficult to handle the situation with such a huge shortage of funds.
They said the Average Bulk Supply Tariff (BST) needed to be paid to GRIDCO is Rs.195 crore per month and CESU has not been able to generate funds for payment of BST to GRIDCO. The DISCOM is required to pay Rs 50 crore as salary to its employees who have been working relentlessly during the lockdown.
Unless CESU gets relaxation in BST payment from GRIDCO, it will not be able to pay salaries and other minimum benefits to its employees, who are working 24×7 and ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the consumers. Hence, CESU has approached GRIDCO to consider a relaxation of BST payment.
