OERC pulls up CESU for failure to collect public lighting dues
While reviewing the performance of CESU for the year 2007-08 and for the 1st quarter of 2008-09 in the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission OERC) on Tuesday, the Commission desired for further improvement of revenue collection and improved maintenance of distribution system. In respect of billing and collection out of 120.3 crore billed for LT category during the first quarter of 2008-09, CESU was able to collect only 93.66 crore. Hence accumulation of arrear amounting to Rs.9 crore per month mostly from residential consumers who unfortunately in the rural areas have not developed the habit of visiting payment counters and the licencee has failed to disconnect the nonpaying consumers. Poor revenue collection is also one of the factors for which CESU is not able to maintain its system up to the desired level. The Commission expressed its concern as CESU failed to collect Rs.8.58 crore from the LT General (Commercial) and Public Lighting category comprising of around 89,000 consumers only. The OERC directed CESU to launch a disconnection drive against LT General (Commercial) and Public Lighting category of consumers in first phase that had toted up energy arrears up to Rs.8.58 crore during the first quarter 2008-09. The money must be collected or power connection shall be disconnected, said the Commission.
