As per reports by the power minister of Goa, the One-Time Settlement scheme, 2020, for the payment of outstanding electricity bill charges will commence from the 1st of December for all power consumers in the state. The scheme will be issued soon and consumers might reap a benefit out of it. According to the minister, approximately 90 crores will be recovered via the scheme in action. Consumers who would not opt for the OTS scheme, will immediately be faced with the inconvenience of deactivated power supply.
412 crores including 320 crore principal amount & 92 crores DPC, yet to be paid
The state cabinet of Goa had acceded to the One-Time Settlement Scheme, 2020, to provide ease to power consumers to pay their due bills (up to October 13, 2020). According to the scheme, the consumer has to only shell out the principal amount and the delayed payment charges will be junked away, with the full or partial waiver of the delay payment charges (DPC), depending upon the time slot selected for payment. Around 412 crores including 320 crore principal amount and 92 crores delay payment charges, is still payable by various power consumers including the domestic section.
The One-Time Settlement Scheme is proposed on the lines of recovery of unpaid revenue, from temporary or permanently disconnected/RCC cases and also for active consumers of the electricity department. The cabinet approved waiving off DPC, that is 100% waiver for two instalments, 80% for three instalments, 60% for four instalments, 40% for five instalments and 20% for six instalments. The official statement said that one of the reasons for the large number of defaulting consumers is the accumulation of arrears on account of 2% DPC.
The Electricity Department will further start an online system for accepting and processing applications for an increase in load, correction in name and correction in an address on power connection bills. The department has even initiated an online portal for new power connections.
