Maharashtra: Govt launches probe on increase in electricity arrears

In a bid to blunt BJP’s attack over high electricity bills received by residents during the lockdown, the Uddhav Thackeray government on Friday launched a probe into Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s (MSEDCL) soaring bill arrears and rising debt.

“Till March 2014, MSEDCL had arrears totalling Rs 14154.5 crore. By the end of October, 2020, it has soared to Rs 59149.8 crore,” Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut told mediaperspons while announcing the probe. While recounting that the BJP was in power and had held the energy portfolio from October 2014 to October 2019, Raut said the arrears had risen to Rs 51,145 crore by March this year itself.