More than 44,000 cases related to electricity theft and permanently disconnected power supply were resolved in the Kalyan Circle of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) during the National Lok Adalat held in Thane, officials said on Monday.
A total of 44,021 disputes were settled, enabling the state-run utility to recover Rs 20.79 crore after consumers opted for concession schemes offered during the settlement process.
According to Ajit Igatpurikar, deputy chief public relations officer of MSEDCL, the cases involved consumers whose electricity connections had been permanently disconnected as well as those facing proceedings in power theft matters.
“To facilitate amicable resolution, 2,38,745 notices were issued to electricity consumers across the Kalyan Circle regarding permanently disconnected supply and electricity theft cases. Of these, 44,021 consumers participated in the Lok Adalat process, following which settlements were reached, resulting in recovery of Rs 20.79 crore,” Igatpurikar said.
The Kalyan Circle covers areas in Thane and Palghar districts, where large numbers of consumers had pending disputes related to unpaid electricity dues or theft-related penalties.
Division-wise data showed that Kalyan Division-2 accounted for the highest recovery, with 27,836 cases settled and Rs 16.44 crore recovered. In the Vasai division, 15,976 cases were resolved, leading to recoveries of Rs 4.26 crore, officials said.
The Lok Adalat was conducted on Saturday in coordination with the Thane and Palghar District Legal Services Authorities, under the guidance of Kalyan Circle chief engineer Chandramani Mishra.
Officials said the settlement mechanism allows consumers to resolve disputes through mutual agreement while benefiting from concessions on penalties and interest.
The latest recovery marks a significant rise compared with earlier Lok Adalat drives in the same circle. In the previous National Lok Adalat held in September last year, 14,790 cases involving power theft and disconnection were settled, resulting in recovery of Rs 11.51 crore, according to official data.
Compared to that drive, the latest settlement saw nearly three times more cases resolved and a substantially higher recovery, reflecting increased participation by consumers and intensified recovery efforts by the power utility.
MSEDCL officials said Lok Adalats have become an effective platform to resolve disputes quickly and reduce litigation involving electricity dues.
Consumers with pending disputes are encouraged to participate in such settlement drives as they provide an opportunity to clear dues through negotiated terms rather than prolonged legal proceedings.
Officials added that the power utility will continue organising awareness campaigns and recovery initiatives to curb electricity theft and recover outstanding dues while offering consumers a chance to settle cases through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like the Lok Adalat.
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