Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday informed the Legislative Assembly that electricity dues across the state had surged to over Rs 3,747 crore, with departments such as Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control emerging as the biggest defaulters. Among security forces, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) alone has pending electricity dues of over Rs 29,600 lakh, while the Army and BSF also figure among defaulting consumers.
While replying to a question raised by PDP MLA Aga Muntazir in the Assembly, he said the detailed breakup revealed dues amounting to Rs 374,735.42 lakh, including Rs 231,022.41 lakh under Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and Rs 143,713.01 lakh under Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL).
The Public Health Engineering (PHE) department has emerged as the single largest defaulter with dues amounting to Rs 1,300,430 lakh, followed by the Irrigation and Flood Control department at Rs 580,597.20 lakh.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has pending dues of Rs 29,638.45 lakh, while the Army has pending dues of Rs 19,719.94 lakh and the Border Security Force (BSF) Rs 1,116.87 lakh.
Municipal bodies account for a significant burden, with municipalities alone owing Rs 24,163.80 lakh. The Revenue and Relief Department has dues of Rs 8,227.62 lakh, while the Health and Medical Education Department owes Rs 11,989.31 lakh.
Other major contributors include the Tourism Department (Rs 4,759.05 lakh), Education Department (Rs 2,866.40 lakh), Public Works (R&B) Department (Rs 1,951.21 lakh), and Rural Development Department (Rs 1,062.95 lakh). The data also reflects dues from central agencies and PSUs such as NHPC.
Also read: CM Omar vows to press Punjab on Shahpur Kandi dam pact
Follow us
