PMC’s first duty for 23 newly merged villages: Clear Rs 4.27 crore in electricity bill dues

Within a fortnight after 23 new villages were merged in the civic limits of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the civic body is faced with the financial impact of the merger as it has to pay Rs 4.27 crore to clear pending electricity bills of civic facilities in the newly merged areas. The PMC will have to pay up so as to avoid power cuts.

“The state government merged 23 new villages in the PMC and directed them to take over responsibilities of the areas, along with existing civic facilities. Most villages have not paid electricity bills for various civic facilities, and if these dues are not cleared then power supply will be discontinued causing inconvenience to the public,” said Hemant Rasane, chairperson of the standing committee of the PMC.